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Ms Thembi Kunene, Chief Quality Assurance Officer: “The new grading criteria has enhanced the credibility of the grading system”
The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) today provided the industry with an update on the new grading criteria and standards of entry which were implemented on 01 October 2010.
Attended by government officials, captains of industry, tourism associations and media, the breakfast event has become a highly sought after event at INDABA.
Said Ms Kunene “”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, Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk, stated that the tourism industry was very pleased with this milestone reached by the TGCSA. The minister emphasized 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.” Ms Kunene said.
Concluded Ms 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.