GSAIR 2023 : EMEA 24
By applying this approach to other criteria , we can verify that the standard is being upheld globally . Serviced accommodation providers are required to make prescribed pieces of evidence available to us so we can help them achieve compliance , as required by their corporate clients .
In European countries like Switzerland , the state operates a more top-down approach to safety regulation in accommodation providers ’ properties . This means operators are not used to requests from accrediting bodies for evidence that the building is fire safe , for example .
For them , the fact that the property is provided with a permission to operate through insurance is evidence enough of building safety .
The challenges we encounter , and the way in which we meet them , allow us to work with serviced accommodation providers across countries to achieve continuous improvement in safety standards , to help to make serviced accommodation recognised as safer and better for everyone .
Adam Kane-Smith
The regulatory framework in Africa varies from country to country . In South Africa , the Short-Term Accommodation Act of 1993 requires all serviced apartments to be registered with the Department of Tourism and to comply with a number of safety and quality standards .
By contrast , in Nigeria there is no specific regulatory framework for serviced apartments . Instead , they are subject to the same laws and regulations as any other type of property .
The specific risks and mitigations required for serviced apartments in Africa will vary depending on the region . However , the common risks include fire safety , due to the prevalence of old buildings and poor fire safety standards ; security to protect guests from theft and other crimes , such as CCTV cameras , security guards , and access control systems , and health risks including malaria , typhoid , and cholera .
Licensing requirements for serviced apartments also vary . In some countries , serviced apartments are required to be licensed as hotels , while in others they may be licensed as a different type of property , such as a guesthouse or bed and breakfast .
Ozge Ozturk
In the UAE and Qatar , serviced hotel apartments are a part of the hotel classification and fall under the “ Tourism Establishment ” category . The Department of Economic Development in the UAE and the Qatar Tourism Authority in Qatar , are the governing bodies which issue licenses to operate as a hotel or a serviced hotel apartment , based on compliance with the respective tourism licensing laws which set out certain pre-requisites to be met . These mostly relate to safety and the existence of certain minimum facility and service standards . One of the pre-requisites for obtaining a license is the achievement of certification from the civil defence and food control authorities . Health and safety measures are constantly audited by the governing bodies across the establishments , with fire drills taking place twice a year , and HACCP audits taking place regularly .
In the UAE and Qatar , serviced hotel apartments are not allowed to serve alcohol , tobacco or shisha , as per the regulations for that category . However , hotels and serviced hotel apartments co-located in the same complex , are able to serve alcohol and shisha at designated outlets , if they have obtained a separate licence from the respective government bodies .
All tourism establishments are inspected annually and on a random basis , for the validation and / or extension of the licences and for compliance audits .
In Istanbul , individual apartment owners can rent their apartments by using Airbnb etc . and they usually provide housekeeping services too upon request . A license is needed for them as residents ’ identities must be declared to local law enforcement . However , as there are thousands of individuals who rent their apartments in this way ; it is very hard to control and there is probably a high proportion which operate without a license .
As a summary , all accommodation facilities including motels , aparthotels , serviced apartments , and hotels ( 1 to 5 stars ) need a license .
There is not a different definition in Turkish law between serviced apartments & hotels and all are obliged to have a tourism license .
When it comes to sustainability and how properties are built , there is a move towards regulation . 2023 has been designated the year of sustainability in the UAE . 31
When it comes to sustainability , Africa may lag behind the initiatives being taken in Europe and the U . S ., but there is a growing awareness of the benefits of operating more ecologically . Some examples include using energy-efficient appliances ; reducing water consumption , recycling , and composting .
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