The leisure industry in South Africa’s North West province is set to benefit from an agreement between the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA).
The aim is to encourage more venues and establishments to get and stay graded, under the star grading system of the TGCSA.
All tourism establishments selected to participate in the programme will be graded by the TGCSA at no cost. At this stage, the department has funded the grading of about 80 establishments in the Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies (VTSD) in the province, costing R450 000 (€30 000). The department plans to spend the same amount for new grading and renewals during this financial year.
Desbo Mohono, North West Tourism’s Member of Executive Council, said the department had carefully considered which tourism establishments were to be graded, with the focus on VTSDs that met the minimum grading requirements as set out by the TGCSA.
“Grading your bed and breakfast or guesthouse might not seem important, especially if you own a small establishment, but it's actually vital for long-term success. Tourists and business travellers alike are more likely to stay at a graded establishment than in one without a grading, as they can then be assured of predictable and guaranteed levels of quality,” said Mohono.
