This year sees additional sub-categories added within the Accommodation and Venues categories.

The extension of the date was prompted by the addition of these sub-categories, in order to allow establishments and product owners more time to climatise themselves on the additional subcategories.

Speaking on the additional categories, South African Tourism’s chief quality assurance officer, Darryl Erasmus said: “This extension allows more time for South African tourism product owners to submit their applications and consumers to vote for their establishment of choice. This being a nationwide competition and targeting a wide range of categories in the tourism sector, we want to ensure that as many of the interested parties as possible get an opportunity to enter.”

New additions to the Accommodation category includes:

• Apartment Hotels
• Boutique Hotels
• Nature Lodges
• Small Hotels
• Campsites
• A Camping facility that does not specify that caravans can be accommodated.

New additions to Venues (formally known as MESE) category include

• Conference Centres
• Convention & Exhibition Centres
• Historical Venues
• Event Venues
• Function Venues
• In-Hotel Conference Centres

Further details on how to enter can be found here.

The new grading criteria include the introduction of two new categories in the form of “apartment hotels” and “small hotels” in which the luxury form (boutique hotels) would be encompassed. In addition to this, grading levels have been enhanced and will now also include a new 5-Star Premium grading level which is a recognition reserved for the pinnacle of luxury product in South Africa and will only be for those products that far exceed premium expectations with respect to quality standards and service excellence.

The TGCSA has also introduced a new dimension to grading which allows for properties to capitalize on niche market differentiation. This new addition termed “accolades” includes insignia and criteria for niche markets such as child-friendly, pet-friendly, wedding venues, spa and wellness facilities, 4×4 etc. A full list of accolades will be available on the www.tourismgrading.co.za website in the coming weeks.

Responsible Tourism also forms part of accolades offering, with the sole purpose of encouraging tourism businesses to operate more responsibly and limit the impact of their business on the environment. The South African National Standards(SANS) 1162 formed the basis of the compilation of the criteria attached to the Responsible Tourism accolade. The Responsible Tourism accolade is a recognition mechanism and not an accreditation nor a certification.

“The approved enhancements to the grading system create greater value for our members and will further aid the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa in upholding and improving the competitive positioning of South Africa as a quality destination,” says Darryl Erasmus, Tourism Grading Council of South Africa’s Chief Quality Assurance Officer.

“The implementation date of 01 April 2019 offers sufficient time for us to consult and socialize the revised grading system with all stakeholders. It will also enable our members to ready themselves for their next assessments based on the revised criteria,” he added.

To educate and bring understanding of the enhanced grading system and criteria, the TGCSA will be embarking on a national familiarization initiative campaign through a tourism trade roadshow during February and March of 2019. Exact dates will be communicated and advertised extensively in the near future. Furthermore, the TGCSA owned platforms including the website are being updated to include downloadable versions of the criteria.

“This would not have been possible without the participation of our valued stakeholders and we are immensely grateful for their involvement. I would like thank the industry for their contributions and inputs as well as their patience whilst the TGCSA completed this revision process. The valuable inputs of all our stakeholders have resulted in a set of criteria that are globally competitive, yet uniquely South African,” concludes Erasmus

To date 5178 establishments are graded across the country. Star grading provides real partnership that unlocks business growth. Grading also assists the travel trade to understand the offerings and match supply and demand. Moreover, it facilitates the monitoring of hotel inventory and accommodation standards.

As part of recognising and rewarding those tourism business people who work passionately and with pride to deliver world-class products and services in contributing to growing South Africa’s global destination competitiveness, the National Lilizela Tourism Awards, will take place will on Saturday the 17 of November 2018 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Established in September 2002, TGCSA operates as a business unit of South African Tourism and is the only officially recognized quality assurance body for tourism products in South Africa. The process to revise the Grading system was started in 2008 is reviewed every three years to ensure globally competitiveness and relevance.

The most respected entity with the right resources and knowledge to grade establishments, TGCSA awards the only stars worth trusting.