Page 12 - Quality Assurance with TGCSA

Quality in Tourism

Quality assurance at grassroots level

Adele Mackenzie Gauteng is the latest province of our country’s tourism opportunities to help them
to roll out the BQV programme, industry, providing travellers reach their full potential.”
THE Basic Quality Verification according to Bronwen Auret, with authentically South African She says the BQV programme
(BQV) programme – which Chief Quality Assurance Officer experiences of our culture and is all about providing access to
allows homestays to be certified for the Tourism Grading Council hospitality,” says Auret. and celebrating South Africa’s
as quality assured – will be of South Africa (TGCSA). “Through this programme, hidden gems.
expanded further this year The plan is to eventually go which is critical to the inclusive Establishments can apply to
following a successful pilot national. growth of the tourism economy, be verified and enter a two-
launch in the Eastern Cape two “We know that small tourism we strive to give them access year programme. Through
years ago and the launch of the establishments in towns and to training programmes, this programme, they are
KwaZulu-Natal leg in May 2023. villages make up the foundation resources, and funding equipped with the expertise
and information to eventually
become a TGCSA-graded
establishment.
“We have witnessed a BQV
product achieve a two-star
grading, as seen with Midgley’s
Hotel – a historic 24-room hotel
that dates back to 1858 – in
the Eastern Cape last year. It is
truly inspiring to see a business
consistently grow through this
programme.”
Marlene Labuschagne from
the Water Wheel Wedding and
Conference Venue in Vryheid,
northern KwaZulu-Natal
notes that it wasn’t a path
she would have followed had
she not been approached to
participate.
“To have a star grading
already means something. It’s
nice to see that SA Tourism is
taking our hands. It inspires
me to want to do better and
further create jobs in my
Midgley’s Hotel was the first BQV-certified property to receive a two-star grading. community.”

What are the benefits of joining the BQV

programme?

Access to training Market access Youth employment Graduates are trained as
Verified establishments The programme is The BQV uses the skills evaluators and receive the much-
1gain access to training 3 also uniquely suited to 5 of unemployed tourism needed entrepreneurial skills
programmes for both owners unlisted, remote, and rural graduates as part of its efforts and technical specialisation that
and employees, such as: establishments in that it to promote inclusive economic are required to be Accredited
• Welcome training offers them the opportunity growth in the tourism industry. Assessors in the future.
• Business management to partner with more formally
training recognised service brands.
• Marketing management
training Funding opportunities
BQV has various
Access to resources 4 partners that
Verified establishments establishments can apply
2 also have access to to for funding opportunities
resources to help them that are there to take their
become more marketable and establishment to the next
attract the right customers, level, which can give them
such as: the opportunity to be graded
• Speed marketing and realise the full benefit of
• Coaching and mentoring being a TGCSA member. Youth employment is a key focus of the BQV programme.

TOURISM UPDATE QUALITY ASSURANCE WITH TGCSA GET GRADED January 2025 11