Question NW3294 to the Minister of Tourism

Reply:

I have been informed that the Tourism Grading Council has contributed to the transformation and elevation of tourism establishments, particularly villages, townships and small dorpies (VTSD) products.

Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and standardisation of various accommodation products in South Africa. By quality assuring VTSD products, TGCSA helps these offerings meet globally benchmarked grading criteria. This not only ensures that the standards of South African accommodation products are on par with global counterparts but also helps in maintaining a comprehensive and legal accommodation database in the country.

Legal entities are accountable and can be regulated, which contributes to the overall safety and reliability of the tourism industry in South Africa.

This rigorous grading and quality assurance process does not only benefit the businesses directly involved but also bolsters the reputation of South Africa's tourism sector on the global stage. Providing visitors with reliable, high-quality accommodations enhances their overall experience and encourages positive word-of-mouth, further promoting tourism in the region.

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The following is how TGCSA is contributing to VTSD products as a Quality Assurance entity:

The Basic Quality Verification Programme

• The Basic Quality Verification (BQV) grading system developed by TGCSA, is a commendable initiative aimed at enhancing accommodation and event products, especially in the VTSD sector in South Africa.

The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa piloted the Basic Quality Verification (BQV) programme in the Eastern Cape in 2020/2021.

The programme seeks to provides structured approach that will build confidence in many accommodation products especially those in rural areas.

This system provides a structured approach to ensuring quality, health, and safety standards in remote rural areas. By establishing clear criteria and guidelines, the BQV grading system enables tourism products, which might not meet the core requirements for formal grading initially, to access trade within the tourism sector.

Through the BQV programme 29 unemployed graduates were recruited and trained as the Basic Quality Verification Evaluators who are responsible for applying the Basic Quality Verification criteria which is used for assessment of establishments that do not meet the minimum entry requirements of formal grading. A total of sixty-five (65) products have been evaluated in the following districts have been completed: eThekwini Municipality, Ugu, iLembe and King Cetshwayo. The team is currently preparing for evaluations in uMgungundlovu, Harry Gwala and uMzinyathi District Municipalities, outstanding evaluations are at Zululand, uMkhanyakude, uThukela, uMzinyathi, and Amajuba.