Mandatory Hotel and Hostel Registration: All accommodations in Omsk now required to register in a specific database.
Russia is taking significant steps to enhance its tourism sector and provide a better experience for foreign visitors by introducing a new accommodation classification system. This system, set to be fully implemented by September 1, 2023, aims to safeguard tourists from misrepresented properties and ensure compliance with established standards.
All hotels, campgrounds, resorts, and sanatoriums in Russia are required to self-assess and register with the Federal Accreditation Service (Rosakkreditation) to legally offer their services. This registration process adds a layer of official oversight and accountability for accommodations, as hotels authorized to accept foreign tourists are obligated to register guests upon arrival by copying their passports and visas.
The new system encourages transparency and accuracy in the online representation of accommodation facilities. Local municipalities determine tourism-related taxes, which incentivizes hotels to formally register and comply with standards to be part of the legal tourism industry. These measures aim to protect consumers from misleading information and ensure a consistent standard of service across the board.
Although specifics about a star-rating or classification system in Russia have not been detailed, the focus is on regular inspections, standardized criteria, and penalties for noncompliance, similar to practices seen in countries like Morocco that have unified star rating systems.
Accommodation facilities that pass self-assessment are eligible for registration with the Federal Accreditation Service. These registered facilities can be listed on booking platforms, aggregators, and advertised in media and social networks. It is expected that these facilities will maintain the condition of their properties as represented online to uphold the trust built among tourists in Russia's new accommodation classification system.
Failure to register with the Federal Accreditation Service may result in the inability to legally offer accommodation services in Russia. The new system is part of Russia's ongoing efforts to improve its tourism sector and attract more foreign visitors, aiming to prevent significant discrepancies between the shown online condition of a property and its actual condition, thus preventing ruined vacations for tourists.
Accommodation facilities must register on the website tourism.fsa.gov.ru to be eligible for legal operation. This registration process helps authorities track and verify legitimate accommodations, further safeguarding tourists and ensuring a positive tourism experience in Russia.
What about the finance industry could potentially be impacted by this new accommodation classification system in Russia? As the new system requires all accommodations to register with the Federal Accreditation Service, there might be emerging opportunities for financial service providers to offer services such as insurance, bookings, and money transfer to these registered facilities.
Moreover, the increasing number of legitimate accommodations in Russia as a result of this system could lead to an increase in tourism, which could in turn generate revenue for the Russian economy, presenting a possible investment opportunity for the finance industry.
