Accommodation grading revised
Changges in the grading scoring system dominated the tourism workshop.
ACCOMMODATION establishments need to ‘do the maths’ to stay afloat – and they must move with the times if they wish to attract and keep business.
That was the frank message to a sparse audience at the uMhlathuze Civic Centre auditorium on Friday by Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) representative, Ruby Gangiah.
Bad business practices including engaging in dubious price wars with competitors has led to the stark reality that 63% of accommodation establishments are bankrupt, the meeting was told.
But changes in the grading scoring system dominated the informative workshop agenda.
‘In the past, pre 2010, we looked at items such as beds, floors etc and awarded points,’ said Gangiah.
‘Now we give a description and assessment of what is there, including photos, which the computer converts into points.
‘It is no longer a compulsory system but a quality management system, which makes sense since the government does not own the business and cannot dictate; but we can serve as a quality assurance body.
‘The travelling community therefore knows they are guaranteed a certain standard, which gives owners marketing leverage.
‘Positive additional scores can be obtained through such things as installing ‘green’ energy, solar lighting and heating, and waste and water management.
‘And of course every place must have internet connectivity because all visitors carry mobile devices.’
Gangiah said ‘home stay’ has now been accepted as authentic South African experience.
‘A rondavel with outside toilet, for example, may well be acceptable because the criteria are based on the actual experience.
‘Also, one must not under-estimate self-catering, which is huge around the world.’
Earlier, delegates were addressed by Candice Padayachee of Tourism Enterprise Partnership, who advised on financial and business development models and the availability of loans from Ikhwezi Bank Funding for small tourism businesses.
Transformation, sustainability, entrepreneurship, skills development, market access and support were key elements of the presentation.
