Quality grading provides many benefits - not only for the consumer in assuring a high end attraction or accommodation, but also are a vital marketing tool for the business themselves. For accommodation, there are two quality assured schemes - Quality in Tourism and the AA.
Quality In Tourism - VisitBritain National Quality Assessment Schemes
Quality in Tourism is VisitBritain's quality grading scheme for accommodation and attractions. The standards used have been harmonised from the National Tourist Boards for England, Scotland and Wales, in conjunction with the AA and formerly the RAC.
Benefits include use of the Quality Rose to flag up your rating to potential consumers, display sign, VisitBritain website and Enjoy EnglandTourist Board guide entries, access to business support and advice, and the route to market with local and regional destination organisations (see Marketing section for information on http://www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/).
Quality in Tourism:
Telephone: 0845 300 6996
Email: qualityintourism@gslglobal.com
Website: www.qualityintourism.com
Welcome Schemes & National Accessible Scheme
As well as the standard 1-5 stars, which recognise quality and differentiate between levels of services and facilities, there are many
additional schemes which recognise excellence in particular sectors, some of which are below.
Also see the Accessible Tourism page for further information.
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National Accessible Scheme | Walkers Welcome | Cyclists Welcome | Families Welcome | Welcome Pets! |
New Breakfast award for serviced accommodation (from VisitEngland)
VisitEngland has recently announced the first Breakfast awards, sponsored by Kellogg's, for hotels and guest accommodation. Establishments at all star ratings can achieve the award if, at their most recent overnight assessment, the scores for 'Breakfast Quality' and 'Breakfast Choice' meet the set criteria. Additionally 'Breakfast Service' and 'Breakfast Hospitality' have to reach a certain level.
For further information about the Breakfast award and scores required to achieve it, visit the trade pages on the EnjoyEngland website.
AA Recognition Scheme
AA ratings are a well-established and highly recognised scheme, and since its inception in1908, has established itself as one of the most trusted forms of recognition within the hospitality industry.
The AA rate hotels, B&Bs and guest accommodation, campsites and caravan parks (but not static caravans or chalets), as well as restaurants and pubs.
As well as the highly valued rating, businesses also benefit from exposure through AA's website and print marketing, including the best selling AA Lifestyle Guides.
AA Self Catering
The AA have now developed criteria for the assessment of properties in the Self Catering Accommodation sector. These have been designed to set achievable and measurable standards, benefiting both visitors and accommodation providers. The AA is offering its Self Catering recognition scheme across the UK.
To find out more on how to apply, benefits and costs:
Telephone: 01256 844455
Email: HotelServicesCustomerSupport@theAA.com
Website: http://www.theaa.com/travel_editorial/hotel_services_index.html
Broadland District Council tourism support
Further quality guidance
Broadland District Council offer business support services through: advice and guidance to small and medium businesses, arranging visits to businesses with planning support to discuss your planning issues when requested. The Business Support Team is committed in helping new and existing businesses in the district.
We can offer:
Free business start-up course for Broadland residents available through Broadland Council Training Services (BCTS)
Grants for new businesses starting up in Broadland
Grants for existing Broadland businesses employing less than 10 full-time employees (or part-time equivalents)
Free listings for Broadland businesses in the Broadland Business Directory and Training Prospectus
Free mailings of the Broadland Business Focus magazine
An on-going programme of business visits to give advice and support
For more information, please visit www.broadland.gov.uk/business/771.asp.
Tourism Quality Grants
To assist accommodation and visitor attractions who are trading in Broadland to enter the VisitBritain Quality in Tourism Scheme and/or the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme. The accommodation or attraction must be either entering the scheme for the first time, attempting to increase their quality rating or adding an extra rating such as Welcome or Accessible schemes.
Contact Rosie Carter, Tourism Coordinator 01603 430496
Walking & Cycling in Broadland
Broadland Disctrict Council also are promoting accommodation providers in the Walkers and Cyclists Welcome schemes in their new Walking & Cycling in Broadland leaflet. As well as information on walks and cycle routes and getting around on public transport, it promotes 25 properties all of which have been awarded or are awaiting inspection for the QiT Welcome Walkers, Welcome Cyclists schemes. They have also updated their Out & About in Broadland series of circular walks and Off The Beaten Track cycle routes downloadable from http://www.broadland.gov.uk/leisure_and_tourism/3262.asp.
Broadland Food Directory
If you're a guest house owner looking to improve your quality rating, considerations should be given to the food quality in your establishment. Incorporating local produce into your menus not only boosters that local economy but also can help you move up from 4 to 5 stars! "Excellent cooking with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal, local ingredients and cooked with skill" is a 5 star requirement from Quality in Tourism.
Broadland District Council have launched their own Food Directory to help businesses identify and source local produce. You can download a copy of the guide at http://www.broadland.gov.uk/leisure_and_tourism/2867.asp.
Do you lend DVDs to guests? If so you may need a DVD Concierge Licence!
ADVICE FROM VISIT BRITAIN ON DVD LENDING:
Filmbank, which represents leading Hollywood and independent film studios, is currently contacting accommodation providers to remind
them that if they are planning to offer a DVD film library or DVD Concierge Service they need a licence to do so.
If you are one of the many accommodation properties now looking to add value and offer an in-room entertainment service which enables
your guests to borrow a selection of DVDs from reception/front desk and watch them in the comfort of their own room, then you may need
to obtain a licence. Filmbank says that screening films without a licence is an infringement of copyright law. It is a civil, and in some cases,
criminal offence to show a film in this manner without the permission of the copyright owner (the film studios) or their representatives (the
licensing bodies).
Filmbank is a joint venture company owned by Warner Bros. Entertainment and Sony Pictures Releasing. It represents many of the
leading Hollywood and independent film studios in the area of film usage outside the cinema and home. This includes content provision
and screening licences. For more information on Filmbank visit their website at www.filmbank.co.uk. Filmbank is just one organisation that
issues licences to businesses and represents ten studios, including Sony Pictures and Warner Brothers. A licence purchased from
Filmbank would enable an accommodation business to lend out films to guests without contravening any copyright legislation, provided
the films were produced by one of the ten studios that are working with Filmbank. The fees payable are for the licence only and
accommodation providers would continue to purchase DVDs as usual. The licence fees quoted for Guest Accommodation apply when no
charge is made to the guest. If a charge is levied, as in most hotels, then a higher licence fee applies.
VisitEngland was approached by Filmbank who wanted to promote the launch of their 'DVD Concierge Licence' for guest accommodation
and they subsequently booked an insert in the July edition of the Quality edge magazine. VisitEngland also encouraged Filmbank to offer
a lower fee for accommodation businesses that were only open seasonally, which they did then offer. Neither VisitEngland nor VisitBritain
is endorsing this service and Filmbank have now removed the VisitBritain and VisitEngland logos from their website. Businesses may wish
to look at other companies offering a similar service and compare the prices. The Motion Picture Licensing Company (www.mplcuk.com)
states on its websites that it represents more than 370 producers and distributors.
Smaller businesses may choose to avoid the purchase of a licence by removing DVDs, as VisitEngland understands that a guest may
bring their own DVD into a bedroom or holiday cottage and play it on a DVD player provided by the business owner. No licence fee is
payable in this case. Further information on the DVD Concierge Licence and who is liable to pay a licence can be found in the Licences
section of Visit Britain's Accommodation Know-How.
Important information for businesses using an interactive TV system (VisitEngland)
Upgrading TV distribution systems to digital may result in the loss of subtitles and audio description on televisions. However, there are
many reasons to provide subtitles on televisions in hotel rooms. To find out more about this accessibility issue, please see the
VisitEngland factsheet (PDF).