ACTE-BCHA hotel ratings

ACTE Global (Association of Corporate Travel Executives) has launched a global hotel accreditation program aimed at standardising lodging expectations for business travellers worldwide.

The new program is called ACTE- BCHA (Business Conference Hotel Accreditation) and is an initiative which aims to guide corporate travel buyers in selecting the most appropriate business- quality accommodations for their internal clients.

“There are all sorts of ratings out there - diamond ratings and star ratings and TripAdvisor’s crowdsourcing, but they cater to leisure travellers, who are most interested in whether a venue is kid-friendly, offers perks or packages, or is close to local attractions” Greeley Koch, executive director of ACTE Global and head of supervisory board, ACTE-BCHA said.

“Business travellers, on the other hand, want well-stocked business centres, safes for laptops, conference centres, room service and a fitness centre, along with a secure environment,” he explained, adding that is what the rating system seeks to standardise.

ACTE-BCHA has set the goal of accrediting more than 10,000 hotels globally by 2020.

The scheme will see facilities pay an annual membership fee, and compliance will be verified by independent monitors.

Franchise partner of HRG in many countries, DNATA began inspecting properties in the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East in Sep.

The program will rate other regions as it identifies and adds inspection partners.

For more information on ACTE- BCHA, see www.acte-bcha.com.