Time running out for entering accommodation awards

Johannesburg – Tourist accommodation establishments in South Africa have until 30 November 2007 to enter the 2008 AA Travel Guides American Express Accommodation Awards programme.Since its inception 15 years ago, 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 and lodges, guest houses, bed and breakfasts and township accommodation.

Convenor Vanessa Sand says participation in the programme holds huge benefits. “Being an achiever gives an establishment a definite marketing advantage as it receives widespread publicity and appears in the annual South Africa’s Best publication, which is distributed at local and international tourism exhibitions.”

According to Sand the programme also holds tremendous internal value for any establishment as guest comments and scores are returned. “This is priceless information which assists managers in running their businesses. It also gives staff members a goal to strive towards. It automatically has a positive effect on morale, efficiency and service levels,” she says.

Participating establishments receive questionnaires from AA Travel Guides that they give to their guests to complete. The forms are returned and processed independently, after which potential semi-finalists and finalists are visited by trained and experienced assessors. Consumers can also submit their comments online at www.aatravel.co.za

Completed questionnaires should reach AA Travel Guides no later than 31 January 2008 to allow enough time for scoring and personal visits before the awards ceremony at the Tourism Indaba in Durban on 11 May.

The awards programme is supported by American Express Card, 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.

FREE  for 30 days

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