Accommodation classification in Britain

All organisations involved in assessing accommodation in Britain, Visit Britain, Visit Scotland, Visit Wales and the AA (the RAC no longer undertake assessments), have now agreed to assess hotels to the same criteria and award five stars. The common standards were implemented in inspections throughout Britain in 2007, England had common standards ratings present in 2007 guides, while Scotland and Wales publish star grades arising out of the new schemes for the first time in 2008. It is hoped that these common standards will reduce confusion for the consumer and encourage greater participation in the schemes.

Quality Assured

Quality is a major element of VisitBritain’s strategy to improve tourism products and services and the standard of welcome visitors receive.

VisitBritain now have a policy of only promoting accommodation that has been quality assessed.

Specific information and contact details for quality assurance schemes in each country be found here:

England (www.qualityintourism.com/asp/main.asp )
Wales (http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/tourism/grading/?lang=en)
Scotland (www.visitscotland.com/sitewide/vsqa)
Northern Ireland (www.discovernorthernireland.com/info_classification.aspx)

Sunday, 5 September 2010