2008 AA Travel Awards now open
02. Aug, 2007
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Johannesburg – The 2008 AA Travel Guides American Express Accommodation Awards programme is open for entries. Now in its fifteenth year, this consumer-based programme has become a widely used quality indicator for tourists when choosing a place to stay.
It is open to any type of accommodation establishment that is a member of the AA Quality Assured Programme or the National Star Grading System, including different types of hotels, resorts, game lodges, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts and township accommodation.
Establishments enter the programme voluntarily, where after guests have the opportunity to comment on aspects such as the quality of facilities, service levels, ambience and food.
In 2007 more than 35 000 consumers commented on approximately 1 200 establishments across the country.
Convenor Vanessa Sand says entering the programme holds huge benefits for accommodation establishments. “Not only do they receive a thorough summary of all comments received, whether positive or negative, but achievers receive widespread exposure. The programme gives them a definite marketing edge.”
Participating establishments receive questionnaires from AA Travel Guides for their guests to complete. The forms are returned and processed independently, after which semi-finalists and finalists are visited by trained and experienced assessors.
“Now is the ideal time to enter the programme since it provides six full months for consumer feedback to be gathered,” says Sand. “Feedback about establishments will be accepted until 31 January 2008 and the winners will receive their awards at an awards ceremony in Durban on 11 May.”
Finalists and winners receive wide exposure in the annual South Africa’s Best publication, which is distributed at local and international tourism exhibitions and at AA Travel Experience Stores.
The awards programme is supported by American Express Cards, Hertz, Sealy, BnB Sure and the Industrial Development Corporation.
Establishments that wish to enter this programme or obtain more information can contact Helen de Coster or Vanessa Weltman at AA Travel Guides on tel (011) 713 2000 or visit www.aatravel.co.za
My name is Muzi Mohale a full-time travel blogger, your host at Travelwires.com responsible for all editorial on this blog. I blog about the travel and tourism industry in Africa. Apart from blogging about tourism, I also run 
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