Yury Podkopayev spoke with The Russia Journal about a matter of concern to him: hotel certification in Russia.

What do you think is necessary for the development of tourism in Russia at this point?

Unfortunately, I have to admit that Russia, with its great potential for the development of the tourism industry, does not use its capacities as it should. According to the Tourism Development Program, the number of incoming tourists is expected to reach 5 million a year by 2005, while we already experience a shortage of hotel accommodations. The potential of Russia as a whole, and Moscow in particular, is far from exhausted, and under certain circumstances we will be able to increase the number of incoming tourists, which will in turn create solid ground for attracting investment into the hotel and tourism industry.

The problem is the falling credibility of the hotel industry. Since there is no single licensing body, many hotels often do not perform up to their ratings. Some hotels five-star hotels in reality operate at a three-star level, thus misleading the clients.

Do you think that a stricter certification system will have a positive effect on the development of the hotel industry?

Undoubtedly so, as we would then be speaking of a single body that would not only certify hotels, but also conduct regular quality-assurance evaluations and guarantee transparency, objectivity and accuracy of such evaluations. There are standards that have been set in Russia, and it is simply necessary to follow them. If it is a five-star hotel, there are certain requirements for the services provided. Amenities must include a number of items – a parking lot, an underground parking garage, a swimming pool, a fitness center, a barber shop, concierge services, restaurants, bars, etc. – and there are certain demands for the quality of services.

Is work being done toward creating a single uniform certification system?

A decree by the government dated April 4, 2001, excluded hotel-industry activity from the list of services that are subject to compulsory certification. There are nearly 25 organizations now involved in the certification of hotels in Russia, while in many foreign countries there is a single body that not only certifies hotels, but carries out the duties of quality-assurance evaluation (i.e., the Hotel, Motel and Camping Grounds Association in the United States).

This is why National Hotel came forward with the initiative to establish one certifying body, and National representatives became part of the working group headed by Natela Shengelia, the head of the tourism department of the Russian Federation’s Economic Development and Trade Ministry. Members of the working group plan to submit their suggestions to the government by the end of this year.

Which organization will be able to conduct certification in Russia, and will Russian standards conform to international standards?

In my opinion, this role could be performed by Gosstandart or by the department of tourism of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. The most important thing is that it be a single uniform body that can objectively conduct quality-assurance evaluations.

As far as conforming to international standards, we must first and foremost take into consideration evaluations of large and reputable Western hotel-industry leaders. It is also necessary to consider whether the hotel belongs to an international chain.

For instance, National is an associate member of the Forte & Le Meridien chain, belongs to the elite Royal Meridien Hotels group and is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World – an organization that unites the highest-quality hotels across the globe).

Is it feasible to guarantee a truly independent certification in Russia?

It is quite possible, but only if specific demands are applied to quality standards.