The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA), a unit of South African Tourism, today announced a decision to revert to the Annual Star Grading System. This follows extensive consultation with various industry stakeholders on the revision of the 3-Year Star Grading System implemented in October 2012.
Thulani Nzima, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of South African Tourism says, “The quality of accommodation is a key determining factor on whether tourists choose to return to our shores or not. As a destination marketing organisation, our brand promise is based on the quality of visitors’ experiences. The work of the TGCSA is central to this mandate and ensures that we deliver on this promise.
It is important that establishments which choose to participate in South Africa’s only official quality assurance system, the Star Grading System, not only see value in their participation but also feel that their voices are heard.”
The introduction of the 3-Year Star Grading System in October 2012 sought to eradicate the various administrative hurdles of annual renewal experienced by establishments wishing to join and stay in the Star Grading System. Whilst the TGCSA is keen to retain some key operational process from this system, it has become apparent that the annual system is ideal for Star Grading. Star Grading in South Africa is voluntary. It is therefore imperative that we remove barriers that impede those establishments that want to contribute towards positioning South Africa as a quality assured tourist destination.
Effective 01 July 2015, all establishments with a Legal Debtor status as a result of the 3-Year Star Grading Membership, will have this status removed through a debt write-off process. This effectively means that all previous Legal Debtor establishments are eligible to apply for the NEW 1-Year Star Grading Status without any barriers.
“We have also introduced a number of value-added services for graded establishments which include the Basket of Benefits, a service launched in September 2014 exclusive to graded establishments, and tailored to assisting them in meeting the TGCSA’s minimum requirements and grading criteria,” says Nzima.
For more information, contact:
Thekiso Rakolojane
Acting Chief Quality Assurance Officer
Tourism Grading Council of South Africa
(011) 895 – 3018
[email protected]
