Update on new grading criteria

May 10th, 2011 by Susan Reynard | Categories: government, industry, tourism

The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) provided the industry with an update on the new grading criteria and standards of entry, which were implemented on 1 October 2010.

The event, which took place yesterday at Indaba (9 May 2011), was attended by government officials, senior members of industry, tourism associations and media.

Thembi Kunene, chief quality assurance officer, says: “The process to revise the grading system and indeed our own operational processes, which was started in 2008, has been extremely thorough and has resulted in world class standards that we as South Africans can be extremely proud of.

“The process entailed not only a review of our grading criteria and minimum requirements but also an overhaul of the entire operating system of the TGCSA in order to ensure a seamless process of managing quality assurance for tourism products. This therefore allows us to deliver on our promise of a quality experience to tourists visiting our country is critical.”

The stakeholder breakfast comes on the back of yet another milestone in the TGCSA‘s process of overhauling the grading system. At the recent unveiling of the new grading plaque in Port Elizabeth, minister of tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk stated that the tourism industry was very pleased with this milestone reached by the TGCSA. The minister emphasised that it was an important step in the establishment of an internationally competitive and credible grading system in South Africa.

“Our stars including the new grading plaque represent an assurance that we provide to both local and international tourists. Our stars provide them with a quality assurance when making their choice of accommodation or conferencing facility,” adds Kunene.

“Together with our stakeholders and industry, we have spent significant amount of time and energy in fine-tuning this grading criteria. Our joint vision of ensuring that South Africa can maintain its international competitiveness as a tourist destination is the driving force behind all our efforts.”

  • Naomi

    These criteria seems to be fine. The only problem is that it doesn’t cater for the variety of e.g. self catering accommodation sites. You cannot have the same criteria for Johannesburg and for West Coast. The atmosphere of the West Coast must be catered for – that is why the tourists are going there – for the atmosphere e.g. no high halls, no burglar proofing, in a fisherman’s house, no air con etc. It will be highly appreciated if one can take these into account.