The DLG Quality Marker in Rural Tourism (Landtourismus)

For the “Vacation on the Farm” and “Vacation at the Vineyard” quality markers, the hosts must manage an agricultural enterprise either full or part-time. For part-time agricultural enterprises, the agricultural character must be distinct.  The guest accommodations are physically connected to the agricultural enterprise. For the “Rural Vacation” quality marker, the hosts offer accommodations that have a strong village/rural character, such as in a former agricultural operation, a village pension, a country house, guesthouse, or a countryside hotel.

For the DLG special offer, there are additional criteria which must be met in order to sufficiently meet the needs of the respective target group. These special offers are examined in connection with the “Vacation on the Farm,” “Rural Vacation,” and “Vacation at the Vineyard” DLG quality markers. This includes equestrian farms, wheelchair-accessible accommodations, accessible accommodations, camping, and conferences and seminars.  

Tested Rural Experiences of Quality
Vacation centers with DLG quality markers offer the right farm and countryside experience with their multiplicity of recreational possibilities and services. The equipment has a high, up-to-date standard. The DLG has the vacation offers made by its hosts regularly and fully tested.  

The quality marker test is an evaluation that spans across all of the offers. This means that all parts of the offer are examined equally. The rural experience, the services, security, and the general impression are tested. For farms and vineyards, additional criteria are checked.  

It is also ensured that guests are greeted by an atmosphere which makes them feel good. This means that the holiday homes and cottages have a living, sleeping, cooking, and bathroom area and are fully equipped.  

Testing by Independent Experts
Hosts acquire all quality markers for rural tourism in the context of an original inspection. At least every three years, adherence to the conditions for the DLG quality markers is re-examined. In addition, the DLG assigns independent and neutral experts who usually come from different areas in tourism, agriculture, and consultation who belong to the professional representation of agriculture and consumer associations or are themselves committed, DLG-certified hosts.   

Some DLG Quality Marker Conditions
Adherence to all legal regulations such as legal building standards or hygiene regulations is the basic condition for acquiring and maintaining the DLG quality marker.

In addition, with the contract with DLG, the hosts are committed to ensuring that the conditions for acquiring and maintaining the quality markers are maintained on a long-term basis. In this way, the DLG certification body can demonstrably guarantee the quality offers made by the hosts. 

In addition to the quality marker test, they must have a current classification of the premises that is at least 2 stars. This means that the enterprises either have obtained the minimum standard for the classification of vacation homes and cottages, as well as guest rooms, according to the DTV (Deutschen Tourismusverband, or German Tourism Federation) or the minimum standards of the  DEHOGA (Deutscher Hotel- und Gaststättenverband, or German Hotel and Restaurant Federation). The hosts can demonstrate their qualifications with a copy or have the DTV classification conducted in connection with the quality marker examination with the DLG testing commission members.  

The right to maintain the quality marker is given out for a period of three years. An extension presupposes that a follow-up test has been passed.  


Mutual Obligations of DLG and Hosts
We take complaints very seriously. All quality marker-holders are obligated to make records of complaints. The DLG will arrange for another test, if necessary, in order to establish that the DLG-tested standards are guaranteed.

We highly value quality management, which is attested to by our accreditation as a product and personnel certification body in accordance with the European standards. If guests or hosts should have cause for criticism despite our efforts, then, of course, we fully follow-up on every complaint.

Registration of the DLG Quality Marks with RAL  
The DLG quality markers are registered at the RAL German Institute for Quality Assurance and Identification (Deutsches Institut für Gütesicherung und Kennzeichnung e. V.). This means that the DLG, along with its statute and design documents, is recognizes by RAL. In addition, the quality markers went through an authentication process in which the conditions for the awarding and the maintenance of the markers was tested. After the end of the procedure, the DLG quality markers were recognized as RAL quality markers and incorporated into the quality marker survey.


Accreditation of the DLG in Accordance with European Standards
The DLG is a product and personnel certification body. Within the scope of rural tourism, we document our expertise as a testing institution by our accreditation in accordance with the standards DIN EN 45.011 and DIN EN ISO/IEC 17024. The accreditation presupposes that the quality of our work is examined regularly by a superordinate body.  

The DLG as a Licensed Party at the DTV For the star classification of vacation homes or cottages and guest rooms, the DLG is a party licensed with the German Tourism Federation (Deutschen Tourismusverband). This license permits the DLG to assign additional independent experts to the classification in the quality marker examination.