Classification Offices
'Classification office' refers to the agency, management company, or similar body responsible for a tourist destination. Its primary aim is to improve quality in the accommodation sector by classifying the different options.
Tasks
Classification offices provide the link between BnB Switzerland (and the STF) and accommodation providers. One of their principal tasks is to advise and support hosts from the various tourism regions of Switzerland if they have not already registered of their own accord via bnb.ch.
What do classification offices do? A few examples
- Record accommodation (properties) in bnbNet
- Provide support and assistance during the certification process
- Renew classifications
- Coordinate random checks (by agreement)
- Debt collection (by agreement)
- Handle complaints
*bnbNet is the BnB Switzerland management program
Details of the classification offices' remit can be found in this document:
«What does a classification office do» [coming soon...]
Costs
BnB Switzerland charges an annual fee of CHF 299 per classification office for the use and continued development of the classification system. This fee covers both the 'B&B' and 'Guest Room' certification options.
Requirements
There are no minimum requirements. Hosts do not need to be connected to a reservation system for immediate bookings. However, in the interests of easier calendar management BnB Switzerland is currently looking into joining OpenBooking.
Different Certifications
Accommodation can be certified in one of three categories. These are:
- Bed & Breakfast (awarded by BnB Switzerland)
- Guest Room (awarded by BnB Switzerland)
- Apartment (awarded by the Swiss Tourism Federation)
Bed & Breakfast
Hosts who always provide breakfast for their guests can have their accommodation classified as a Bed & Breakfast, whether they offer a room or a whole apartment. The guest may opt not to take breakfast, but it must always be their choice.
The owners/operators are on site and always welcome their guests personally.
Classification offices that have access to bnbNet are able to award properties at their destinations the Bed & Breakfast classification. Certification is tied to membership of BnB Switzerland as an accommodation provider.
Guest Room
In August 2022 BnB Switzerland became the new point of contact for the Guest Room classification awarded in accordance with STF guidelines
Hosts who wish to provide breakfast for their guests only occasionally, if at all, can have their accommodation classified as a Guest Room. This classification applies to rooms only.
The owners/operators are on site and always welcome their guests personally.
Classification offices that have access to bnbNet are able to award properties at their destinations the Guest Room classification. Certification is not tied to membership of BnB Switzerland as an accommodation provider.
Apartment
Hosts who wish to provide breakfast for their guests only occasionally, if at all, can have their accommodation classified as an Apartment. This classification applies to apartments only.
The owners/operators are on site and always welcome their guests personally.
Since BnB Switzerland does not offer classification offices any interface with an apartment classification scheme, this classification continues to be awarded via the Swiss Tourism Federation's STnet management program.
Hosts with Apartment classification may still be BnB Switzerland members, however. They may still have their accommodation listed with the corresponding reference to bnb.ch and myswitzerland.com.
bnbNet
The test phase of this new management program for guest rooms and bed & breakfasts will run until January 2023. Test logins and training will be offered to interested classification offices from September/October 2022 onwards.
BnB Switzerland has a solution in place for providers whose classifications expire before January 2023.