Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The supply of accommodations varies tremendously from luxury properties to hostels. This luxury
property is the Ritz-Carlton, Tamuda Bay, Morocco.
Photocourtesyofdestinationdesign
rmWATG.
Hotel Classi
cation
Hotels are classi
ed using a number of different systems. Then, too, many tourist countries have no
classi
cation system whatsoever. Many in the industry prefer the
five-star rating system, which grades
hotels according to speci
c criteria (usually by the national tourist organization) from the highest (
ve
stars) to the most modest accommodations (one star) suitable for travelers. Countries such as Spain
also classify nonhotel accommodations, such as pensions. Criteria used for star ratings are public
rooms, bathrooms, climatization, telephone, bar, dining rooms, and other characteristics. The Burj Al
Arab hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, consistently voted the world
'
s most luxurious hotel, claims
it is a seven-star property.
Other classi
cations are deluxe, superior, and good; or superdeluxe, and
first-class reasonable. Still
another classi
cation is A, B, C, D, or E. Because many classi
cation schemes are confusing or not
useful, a uniform worldwide classi
cation truly indicative of the grades of hotels in any country would
be a real plus to tourism. Of course, differences in general standards of development in various
countries would be understood. A
five-star hotel in a highly developed country would likely be more
deluxe than would a
five-star hotel in a less developed area.
Types of Transportation
All factors concerning
should be considered in developing tourism, beginning with
taxis, limousines, and bus service from the place of lodging to the departure terminals. Such services
must be adequate and economical.
transportation
Air
As described in Chapter 5, the airline industry dominates public intercity transportation systems,
capturing over 92 percent of the common-carrier passenger mile market. Thus, planners looking
to improve tourismmust evaluate the adequacy of air transportation. Flight frequencies as well as
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