TUEV-Service Check – OK for Kids

Rather than reassuring consumers, the multitude of tests of family-oriented hotels has tended to cause yet more confusion up to now. For families, the plethora of seals of approval has become almost incomprehensible. The growing number of differing classifications and symbols for child-friendliness has therefore prompted calls for standardised European systems and symbols with uniform testing throughout Europe.

Together with children and families, the German child protection society (the Kinderschutzbund) and the TÜV regional testing agency in the Rhineland have developed uniform criteria with which to test family-oriented accommodation.

Holidays are a very important time for families to relax and recharge their batteries, but also a time for adventures and experiences for and with children. No one wants this most precious time of the year to be spoilt by frustration over misleading claims about alleged child-friendliness. That is why a reliable and recognisable seal of approval is sorely needed. In attempt to meet this objective, the TÜV has applied the Kinderschutzbund's criteria in assessing whether establishments really are as child-friendly as they claim to be.

The Familotels were the first establishments to undergo such stringent assessment. It was also the first time that hotels were tested in different countries. Familotels in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and Hungary underwent the same uniform assessment of their aptitude for families and children in particular.