The Qualstar classification scheme uses a “star system” which rates establishments from 1 star to 5 stars. The rating of the facilities is determined through a points system. Hotels, apartment hotels, and resorts are graded according to their service facility, quality and condition, and business practices. The auditing system which forms the basis of analysing the quality standards follows the various stages of a guests’ journey from the pre-arrival right until their departure.

Application

The process of Service Certification starts with the receipt of application on the prescribed application form with information covering the mandatory aspects by the applicant organization, along with an application fee.

Review of Application

The QUALSTAR SCS conducts a review of the information obtained with the application. When application review report confirms the application fulfilling the requirements of the certification scheme, it is registered and provided a unique application number.

Evaluation

After the application is registered, a generic plan for certification depending on the characteristics of the certification scheme and the Service requirements is prepared. The QUALSTAR SCS evaluation process consists of mystery inspection, hotel evaluations and review and recommendation for certification and QUALSTAR SCS performs this evaluation through competent personnel. The Technical Audit Team carries out full hotel audit of the services against the requirements covered by the scope defined in its application including requirements specified in the certification scheme.

Review of Audit and Corrective Actions

A brief report of the evaluation especially indicating the nonconformities if any, is provided to the client seeking time taken for corrective action. The client is urged to carry out root cause analysis and ensure corrective action. All the discrepancies found are resolved with the help of the audit team or the client representative.

Grant of Certification

The decision for grant of certification is taken after careful review and only if the Hotel/Resort/Apartment Hotel meets the mandatory criteria for the applied category. After the license is granted, QUALSTAR SCS will intimate the hotel of the grant of license enclosing the Design of the Standard Mark, Instructions regarding responsibilities of licenses and instructions regarding advertisements, guidelines for the use of Standard Mark.

Illustrated example of the “Procedure from Application to Accreditation”