TS EN ISO 18513

TS EN ISO 18513 is a vocabulary standard for the tourism services sector, focusing on terms used for hotels and other types of tourism accommodation. It supports consistent understanding of accommodation concepts across languages and business settings, covering the terminology used to describe accommodation types and related services.

Why terminology matters in tourism accommodation

Tourism accommodation is a broad field that includes hotels as well as guesthouses, holiday resorts, apartment-style lodging and similar facilities. In this environment, a vocabulary standard helps ensure that words describing a facility, a service level or a type of accommodation are interpreted consistently. That is especially valuable in booking systems, brochures, operational documentation and international communication.

What this standard addresses

This standard defines terms used in the tourism industry in relation to the various types of tourism accommodation and their related services. Its focus is therefore conceptual and linguistic rather than performance-based: it establishes shared meanings instead of specifying a technical test or design requirement. As a vocabulary standard, it provides a common terminology framework rather than a physical product specification.

• Terms related to hotels and other tourism accommodation types
• Vocabulary for services connected with accommodation
• The need for a common language in tourism operations
• Terminology harmonisation for international use

In general technical terms, a vocabulary standard helps distinguish between facility type, service level, accommodation unit, common areas and guest support services. Clear terminology reduces ambiguity for operators, platforms and other stakeholders, making descriptions of accommodation more consistent and easier to compare.