THESCOTTISH Tourist Board claims 92% of serviced accommodation businesses in Scotland have volunteered to be graded under its star assessment scheme since it was introduced last year.
This compares with 50% of such businesses in Wales and 43% in England which use their own schemes.
The new Scottish grading scheme replaces the words and crowns system and judges accommodation on quality rather than amenities.
STB quality assurance manager Lorraine Thomson said its scheme was popular because it gave advice to businesses as well as awarded grades.
Thomson said that since the scheme’s penetration was so high in Scotland, the STB saw no need for a compulsory, government system imposing minimum standards on the industry.
Hoteliers and tourism professionals attending a recent English Tourist Board conference in London gave overwhelming backing to such a proposal as a means of raising standards. And a survey of British Hospitality Association members has showed 73% support the idea (Travel Weekly January 27).
A WTB spokesman admitted it was dissatisfied with the 50% penetration of its grading scheme, while the ETB said it is aiming for more participation in its own grading scheme, which is growing at 5% a year .