The decision, expected to be announced shortly as part of the Department for Media, Culture and Sports (DCMS) new Tourism Strategy, may be unpopular with hoteliers who have recently spoken out at the impact of negative consumer reviews on websites such as TripAdvisor.
However, its is thought that the DCMS will back a consumer need to voice its frustrations, and praise, directly, the fastest medium for which is the internet.
The fate of the star rating system is expected to be left to the hotel industry in the hands of the newly-restructured VisitEngland, who may decide to modernise, shrink or disband the system altogether.
Accurate ratings
In a statement, the DCMS said: “The government will shortly be publishing its tourism strategy. As part of this a number of issues are being looked at including the star ratings system for hotels.”
The move will be announced as part of plans to help tourists make more informed decisions when booking a hotel, plus remove the regulative and administrative burdens affecting hoteliers.
It is expected to encourage any ratings scheme, consumer review site or otherwise, that offers specialist information such as travel, accommodation, attractions, accessibility for disabled customers, and green credentials.
It is thought that businesses will be given the freedom to decide which ratings system they sign up with.