FAQs
My hotel has a legal Operation Licence. What is the expiration date of that Licence?
All Operation Licences that have been issued under the previous legal framework will expire automatically in 31/12/2017. Up until that date, all Tourism Facilities are obliged to proceed with the issue of the new Classification Certificate under the new Legal Framework.
Does the same thing apply to RENTAL – FURNISHED ROOMS AND APARTMENTS?
Yes
Where can I find the relevant Legal Framework?
- M.D. no. 219 (Government Gazette 14/Β-12/01/2015) Hotels and Rental/Furnished Rooms and Apartments
- M.D. no. 216 (GG 10/Β – 09/01/2015) Identification of the Technical/Operational Specifications and Rating Critera for Hotels and their Classification in “Stars”.
- M.D. no. 21185 (GG 2840/Β-22/10/2014) Identification of the Technical/Operational Specifications and Rating Criteria for the Classification of Rental – Furnished Rooms and Apartments in “Keys”.
- (GG 69/Β-16/01/2015) Identification of the Technical/Operational Specifications and Rating Criteria for the Classification of Rental – Furnished Rooms and Apartments in “Keys”. – Additional Criteria
How can I proceed with the preevaluation of my Facility in order to find out the current rating based on the new legal Framework?
Our company, Energy Financial Group, employs highly qualified and certified (by TUV Austria Hellas – leader in Certification and Classification Services in Greece) professionals, that are capable of providing you with a valid preevaluation and assessment of the current rating state of your facility.
I currently do not hold an Operation License for my facility. Can I proceed with the new Legal Framework and Classify my Facility with “stars” or “keys”?
No. An official Operation Licence is a prerequisite in order to enter the new Classification Procedure under the new Legal Framework.
What kind of information will I gather through the preevaluation process After the preevaluation of your facility by Energy Financial Group, you will receive the following information:
- Full Report in which you will have a clear picture of the current state (rating-wise) of your facility, per criterion. This report will also include potential issues that might rise due to non-comformity with the current Legal Framework (differences between the current Operation Licence and the actual Facility, shortcomings in required permits etc.)
- Proposals to achieve the optimal – wished classification of the facility
- Proposals for actions that are required to acquire ISO Certificates that boost the rating of the facilities
Does your company undertake services for the issuance of Official Operation Licences or other Permits that are relevant to the operation of my Hotel?
Our company employs highly qualified professionals and is in direct partnership with certified companies in order to be able to provide a full set of services for any of the below:
- Issuance of Operation Licences before the classification
- Consolidation of Operation LIcences
- Issuance of permits for health-regulated facilities (part of the Hotel/Rental – Furnished Room Facility)
- Any other licence-permit service.
My Hotel Facility lacks some of the required permits for Health-regulated sections. Can I proceed with the classification of my Hotel under the new Legal Framework without them?
Although such documentation (licences/permits) are not required under the provisions of the new Framework, the company will be obliged to upload all of its Legal-Permits Documentation in the web site of the Greek Chamber of Tourism when he will apply for Classification. Therefore, we highly advise that all required permits are issued and not-expired during the classification process.
After carefully studying the official documentation for the new Framework, I noticed the «Υ» and «Πρ» signs next to the criteria. What do these signs mean?
“Y” (greek for “Υποχρεωτικό”) Stands for “Obligatory” and «Πρ» (greek for «Προαιρετικό») stands for “Optional”.
All criteria with “Y” next to them must be covered by the Company. Otherwise the Facility cannot receive the respective classification.
The company has to choose which of the “Πρ” marked criteria it wishes to be rated with when applying to the Greek Chamber of Tourism.
I have an Operation Licence with 3 stars Classification under the previous Legal Framework. Can I achieve better classification for my Hotel under the Framework?
Under the new Framework/Procedure (both for Hotels and Rental – Furnished Rooms and Apartments), any Facility can achieve lower or higher classification provided that the required Rating is achieved.
Please note that a big part of our services is to assist the owner in achieving the OPTIMAL classification and not just hold on to the current class
How many points are required for each of the “Stars” and “Keys” Classifications?
Hotels
| Stars Class | 5***** | 4**** | 3*** | 2** | 1* |
| Minimum required number of points based on the Optional Criteria | 5500 | 4000 | 3200 | 2200 | 1500 |
Classification of Rental – Furnished Rooms and Apartments
| Keys Class | 2 keys | 3 keys | 4 keys |
| Based on criteria per Keys Class | <3500 | 3500 | 5500 |
I am interested on the preevaluation of my Facility. What should I do?
We suggest that you contact us in order for us to guide you through the process.
The new classification process is due on 31/12/2017. Why should I rush into preevaluating my facility now?
Looking into the provisions of the new Legal Framework, it is easy to understand that the fulfillment of many of the criteria requires a lot of time on the Company’s/Owner’s side. It is highly suggested that the procedure to achieve the Optimal Classification must begin ASAP in order to have the required time to plan all required actions/adjustments etc.
In what way do Management/Quality/Safety ISO Certificates and respective systems participate in the classification process of Hotels under the new Legal Framework?
The implementation of such systems and certification with the respective Certificates boost the rating of the Hotel based on the table below:
| Development of Environmental Services – Standards:
a. ECOLABEL, EMAS, ISO 14001 b.GREEN GLOBE, GREEN KEY, TRAVELIFE or other specialized standards/certificates c. Organic/Bio Agriculture or use of Bio Products The points are multiplied by the number of existing certificates |
a. 200
b. 150 c. 150 |
| Certification of Quality Systems:
(e.g. ISO 9001:2008, European Hospital Quality of HOTREC or other standards) The points are multiplied by the number of existing certificates |
100 |
| Certification of Food Quality Systems
a. ISO 22000:2005 b. HACCP, CODEX ALIMENTARIUS. The points are multiplied by the number of existing certificates |
a. 200
b. 100 |
| Certification under ISO 26000 – Social Responsibility Standard or other CSR standards
The points are multiplied by the number of existing certificates |
100 |
| Inclusion in the “Greek Breakfast” Program of the Greek Chamber of Tourism | 200 |
| Special Mark of Quality Greek Cuisine or any Local Cuisine Mark based on any accredited standard (private or state) | 150 |
| Complete Customer Complaints Management System (if no Quality System is active) | 100 |
In what way do Management/Quality/Safety ISO Certificates and respective systems participate in the classification process of Rentals – Furnished Rooms and Apartments under the new Legal Framework?
| Certification of Quality Systems or other relevant certifications | 150 |
| Certification under Environmental Management Standards or other Environmental Marks (EMAS, ISO 14001, ECOLABEL, GREEN KEY or others) | 150 |
Does your company undertake the Development and Implementation of Quality Systems under the ISO Certification Standards?
Our company has a specialization in the Development and Implementation of Quality Systems and currently holds a large clientele around Greece.
