Adjusted star rating for Flemish hotels

Flemish tourism minister Melissa Depraetere approved a modified star rating for hotels at the end of December. Tourism Flanders will continue to use the Hotel Stars Union's star classification for this purpose. The new criteria focus on sustainability and the further digitalisation and automation of the hotel sector. They will take effect from January 2025.

Hotels in Flanders that comply with the rules of the Accommodation Decree can receive a star rating from Tourism Flanders from 1 star to 5 star superior depending on comfort and facilities available in the hotel. Since 2017, Tourism Flanders has been using the Hotel Stars Union criteria to award these stars. Meanwhile, 21 European member states use this star classification. The same classification also applies in Wallonia and Brussels.

Our accommodation sector has a lot to offer. For every age and every budget. By further updating the star rating, we guarantee the quality of our hotels in Flanders. That is good for our entrepreneurs and for our tourists.

^{Melissa Depraetere, Flemish minister for tourism}

Stars are awarded based on a series of objective criteria which are defined per star category. Each hotel has to meet a number of mandatory criteria for each comfort level, in addition to gaining a number of points from choice standards.

Every five years the criteria are revised in consultation with the countries and regions using the Hotel Stars Union rating updated and adjusted to the changing needs of tourists and the market. This uses the reviews tourists give to hotels on the various booking platforms. 

Several adjustments were made to the star rating compared to the previous one. The adjusted criteria commit to sustainability and the further digitisation and automation of the hotel sector. A number of criteria were deleted or merged. In addition, the classification was adapted to the new European rules on packaging waste or greenwashing.

Some examples:

• Instead of extra points for replacing mattresses every 5 years, there are recommendations and extra points added for thorough cleaning of mattresses.
• Items such as sewing and shoe polishing kits and stationery and paper should no longer be compulsorily offered in rooms but should be available on request. 
• Hotels that have increased their ecological footprint measurement according to international standards receive extra points for this
• Full automated check-in and check-out services may replace manned reception services in the lower classifications. 
• The hotel's website should be mandatory include information on accessibility from the hotel by public transport.
• Self-service kiosks available 24/7 may replace minibars, maxibars and room service up to a certain classification. 

Flanders currently has 769 licensed hotels, 9 out of 10 of which have a voluntary star rating.

The star rating remains an important tool for hotels to position and differentiate themselves. It is also a way of highlighting the quality and diversity of services in our tourism sector.

_{Melissa Depraetere, Flemish minister for tourism}

Tourism Flanders will inform all hotels in Flanders about the adjusted star rating. Hotels that already have a star rating will keep it until they are revisited by Tourism Flanders. Tourism Flanders will update the adjusted classification control through sampling. Hotels thinking of qualifying for a higher rating can always Contact Toerisme Vlaanderen.