Belarus Makes Hotel Star Ratings Mandatory for All Properties

Belarus is introducing a mandatory star‑rating system for all hotels, a move intended to replace the current patchwork of voluntary classifications with a single national standard. The new rules will set minimum requirements for room amenities and staff qualifications, but the specific criteria for each star category and the deadlines for hotels to comply have not yet been published. The assessment will weigh a combination of factors, from basic in‑room facilities to the level of personnel training. By making certification compulsory, authorities aim to remove the guesswork travelers face when booking accommodation, allowing them to match a property’s rated service level to their budget before arrival. Irina Sokolova, manager for outbound tourism: "Mandatory certification helps standardize the market: a tourist can rely on the internationally accepted expectations for each star category, which reduces the risk of disappointment at check‑in."