Kochi Corporation budget: Grading likely for hotels

KOCHI: A major proposal in the Kochi Corporation budget for the fiscal 2017-18 presented on Saturday is grading for the hotels based on different general yardsticks. In his budget speech, T.J. Vinod, the deputy mayor, had announced that an expert committee would be constituted for classification of hotels and the grading will be implemented from August this year. The classification details will be displayed in front of the eateries and made available online.

Elaborating the proposal, health committee chairperson V.K, Minimol said the eateries would be given three grades - A, B and C. “An intensive inspection of the hotels will be conducted to evaluate their hygiene standards, service, food and water quality and other parameters. The hotels which are rated with ‘C’ grade will be given a chance for improving their quality and service,” she said.

Being a major tourist destination in the state, classification of hotels assumes much significance in Kochi. “A major complaint of the tourists, especially foreigners, is that there is no system to know the best serving quality hotels in the city,” added the health committee chairperson. The Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association has responded positively to the proposal, and the civic body is hopeful of implementing it without any technical glitches, she said.