Quality is key to success when setting up Accommodation provision. In this section find details on quality assessment schemes, accessible and green tourism business schemes.
Quality is key to success, both in terms of the quality of experience that a consumer has along with the quality of the tourism product. The quality assessment scheme informs consumers before they book accommodation, to recognise quality and to differentiate levels of facilities and services which guests can expect.
There are two National Quality Assessment Schemes for accommodation providers, both of which are run to the same Harmonised Common Standards that England Wales and Scotland use. Both schemes recognise level of quality by awarding between 1 – 5 stars, with a further recognition of excellence with the use of awards or differing colours of stars.
Visit England
Phone: 0845 300 6996
Email: qualitytourism@uk.g4s.com
Website: https://www.visitengland.com
Visit England contract the management and running of their quality assessment scheme to Quality in Tourism.
The scheme is open to Hotels, Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfasts, Self Catering establishments, Caravan and Campsites including Yurts/Tipis and Holiday Parks.
‘1066 Country Approved Visitor Accommodation Scheme’
The 1066 Country Approved Visitor Accommodation Scheme is operated by Quality In Tourism on behalf of Visit England. This is a local assessment scheme to verify that accommodation establishments are ‘Legal, Safe and Clean.’ Star ratings do not apply for this level of assessment but the provider, upon completion of the assessment, will be able to use and promote the 1066 Country Approved Visitor Accommodation Scheme logo on relevant marketing materials. Inclusion in this scheme also enables any accommodation provider to work with 1066 Country on marketing initiatives.
AA
Phone: 01256 844455
Email: HotelServicesCustomerSupport@theAA.com
Website: http://www.theaa.com/travel_editorial/hotel-services-accommodation-schemes.html
The quality assessment scheme run by the AA is open to Hotels, Guest Houses and Bed and Breakfasts only.
The AA have recently introduced an assessment scheme for Self Catering establishments, however this scheme does not operate to the common standards that England, Wales and Scotland have signed up to. If property owners choose to opt for this assessment scheme they will not be quality to be included in any Visit Britain, Tourism South East or 1066 Country Marketing Campaigns nor will the Tourist Information Centre network be able to promote their facilities.
Visit Britain, Tourism South East, 1066 Country, the local Tourist Information Centres along with many other local organisations only promote establishments that have been quality assessed.
National Accessible Scheme
Email: qualitytourism@uk.g4s.com
Website: http://www.visitengland.org/busdev/accreditation/nas/index.aspx
The National Accessible Scheme is operated by Quality in Tourism and provides a set of accessible standards against which establishments are assessed for their accessibility and awarded a rating. The standards cover three types of impairment; mobility, hearing and visual.
Green Tourism Business Scheme
Website: http://www.green-business.co.uk
The Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) is the national sustainable tourism certification scheme for the UK and is validated by Visit Britain, the National Tourism Agency. The scheme covers a range of areas such as energy and water efficiency, waste management and bio diversity.