Accommodation - Benefits of being Quality Assured
The benefits to your business of being quality assured are huge. A quality assurance rating provides an independent assessment of what your customers can expect to find. The display of a recognised national rating offers reassurance, and provides confidence that their chosen accommodation will meet certain recognised standards.
Explore Northamptonshire supports Visit Britain's Assessed only policy and we require all accommodation providers that wish to join membership of and be promoted by Explore Northamptonshire to participate in one of the National Quality Assurance Schemes owned by VisitBritain and delivered by Quality in Tourism or the AA.
All accommodation schemes offered by VisitBritain offer a package of benefits which include:
- Display of the Quality in Tourism Rose Logo along with a nationally recognised rating to promote their establishment. The logo can be used on all promotional material, including guides & websites.
- A free listing in the "Enjoy England Official Guide to Quality" series of published guidebooks.
- Free detailed entries on VisitBritain's websites: www.visitbritain.com and www.enjoyengland.com. A full page entry is provided per establishment and includes full details and photography (where supplied)
- Free "Quality Rose" sign to all new participants to promote your rating.
- Access to national, regional and local guides, websites and publications, including Local Authority publications and Tourist Information Centres that operate "Assessed Only" policies.
- A detailed assessment and personal debrief by an independent professionally experienced assessor.
- A comprehensive written report on the assessment.
VisitBritain's family of Quality Assurance Schemes offers the following Quality Standards:
- Hotels (Star Rating) - usually larger serviced establishments offering a defined set of services and facilities. Hotel, Country House Hotel, Small Hotel, Town House Hotel and Metro Hotel have defined standards within this scheme.
- Guest Accommodation (Star Rating) - usually smaller serviced establishments including Guest Houses, B&Bs, Farmhouses and Inns
- Hostels (Star Rating) - serviced and/or self-catering accommodation in hostels, backpackers hotels and camping barns.
- Self-Catering (Star Rating) - cottages, houses, flats and apartments.
- Holiday Parks (Star Rating) - caravan, camping, touring and chalet parks.
- Holiday Villages (Star Rating) - as for Holiday Parks, but also offering extensive leisure facilities, food outlets, leisure activities and entertainment.
- Campus Accommodation (Star Rating) - serviced and self-catering Accommodation offered by universities and colleges.
- Restaurants with Rooms (Star Rating) - for businesses that are first and foremost a high quality restaurant, but with some accommodation available.
- National Accessible Scheme - A rating for establishments that can meet defined criteria to assist visitors with mobility, hearing and visual impairments.
- Walkers Welcome & Cyclists Welcome - Schemes that can be used in addition to the Quality Assurance rating to show that the accommodation provider offers special facilities and services for the benefit of walkers & cyclists.
- Families Welcome – A new scheme that can be used in addition to the Quality Assurance rating to show that the accommodation provider offers special facilities and services for the benefits of families.
- Pets Welcome – A new scheme that can be used in addition to the Quality Assurance rating to show that the accommodation provider offers special facilities for the benefits of visitors with pets
- Spas - Quality standards for Spas were launched in February 2007, covering all types of spas. Star ratings will not be used for a spa but it will be an accreditation scheme needing to meet a set of minimum standards. The quality part of the scheme focuses on the client experience.
Accolades
Gold and Silver Awards
Gold and silver awards are given to hotels and guest accommodation that provide exceptional quality in all areas but in particular in service and hospitality.
Rose Award
Caravan holiday homes for hire which are of a high standard are recognised by the Rose Award. These are sited on 4 or 5 star Holiday Parks.
New Applicants
Fees are based on a matrix using the number of bedrooms/units a business offers. Explore Northamptonshire members are eligible for 10% discount off the Quality in Tourism Fees.
For more information regarding fees, the benefits of participation or to receive an application pack please contact:
Quality in Tourism tel: 0845 300 6996 or visit: www.qualityintourism.com
The AA Quality Schemes
Hotels and B&Bs applying for AA recognition receive more than just an inspection and rating. You will also have access to a comprehensive package of marketing benefits to help promote your establishment to the widest possible audience.
For more information regarding fees, the benefits of participation or to receive an application pack please contact:
The AA Customer Support Team on 01256 844455 or visit: www.theaa.com.
