Da Nang blows whistle on series of hotels self-ranking stars

Inspectors of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (DOCST) of Da Nang have just requested a series of hotels to remove their star rating images on online booking platforms such as Agoda, Booking... One of the main reasons is that these hotels have not been recognized by competent state agencies as star ratings but still arbitrarily "raise stars" to improve their image, deceiving tourists...

According to the Inspector of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Da Nang, through the inspection of compliance with legal regulations in the business of tourist accommodation services in the area, the Department has requested 4 hotels to contact online room sales websites to remove the star image next to the hotel name. Including Risemount Premier Resort Da Nang, AlanSea Hotel Da Nang; Delicate and Haian Riverfront.

Specifically, Risemount Premier Resort Da Nang Hotel (belonging to My Khe Trade and Service Joint Stock Company, 120 Nguyen Van Thoai, Ngu Hanh Son District) has expired its 5-star recognition in Decision 357/QD-TCDL dated June 7, 2018 of the General Department of Tourism, and has a record of 5-star rating but has not yet achieved it. However, on online room sales sites (agoda, booking...) there is an image of 5 stars next to the name of this hotel.

Similarly, AlanSea Hotel Da Nang (belonging to My Khe Park Joint Stock Company, Lot A6 Le Duc Tho, Son Tra District) has not been recognized by the competent state agency as a star. However, on online room sales sites (agoda, booking...) there is an image of 5 stars next to the hotel name.

The 5-star rating has expired, or has not been recognized as meeting the standards, but online room sales sites (agoda, booking...) still display the 5-star image next to the hotel name.

According to the Inspectorate of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Da Nang City, the unit will continue to strengthen inspection and supervision to rectify accommodation business activities, ensure legitimate rights for tourists and transparency of information in the online tourism market.

And not only in Da Nang, recently in some localities developing tourism in the Central region, similar situations have also appeared.

Self-proclaimed service quality stars to attract tourists, this "overdoing" is mostly justified by representatives of accommodation establishments and hotel owners: "This is just a marketing story to attract tourists and put their hotel brand name in the high-quality ranks."

Delicate Hotel (belonging to Hung Hoang Huy Trading and Service Company Limited, 25 Vo Van Kiet, Son Tra District) and Haian Riverfront Hotel (Kim Thanh Hotel Service Joint Stock Company - Song Han Branch, 182 Bach Dang, Hai Chau District) have not been recognized by the competent state agency as a star hotel. However, on online room sales sites (agoda, booking...), these establishments all have a picture of 4 stars next to the hotel name.

"Da Nang and the Central provinces are entering the tourist season. The international fireworks competition in Da Nang will officially start at the end of May 2025, attracting great attention and destinations from domestic and foreign tourists. Therefore, accommodation, "big star" hotels, high quality service but low prices are always an attractive marketing strategy for tourists," said the owner of a hotel with a view of the Han River (Son Tra district, Da Nang city).

According to the Inspector of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Da Nang, along with requiring the above hotels to contact online room sales websites to remove the star image next to the hotel name, the Inspector of the Department also imposed a fine (4 million VND) on Hung Hoang Huy Trading and Service Company Limited (Delicate Hotel) for the violation: "Not implementing the reporting regime to the competent state agency as prescribed".

Source: https://cand.com.vn/Xa-hoi/da-nang-tuyt-coi-loat-khach-san-tu-xep-hang-sao-i767679/