|
Next year VECTA will be supporting another new initiative, where our accommodation providers will be invited to undergo inspections, in a bid to show that our accommodation is of a high standard that can also gain recognition by ‘Visit Britain’, which has taken over from the now defunct ‘English Tourist Board.
VECTA has long been of the opinion that if we are intent on attracting more visitors to the town, then they need somewhere to park and maybe somewhere to stay’…as well as attractive retail outlets. Well, VECTA along with the MTP has been successful in convincing Wychavon and the County Council that the old Swan Lane School site is just what is needed to help with the shortage of parking. However, somewhere to stay is a problem of a different hue. Flood damage apart, Evesham has already lost 3 of its major hotels and some of its B&B providers, the latter largely through retirement from the industry. We do still have some excellent B&B’s, Guest Houses and of course some first class Caravan Parks, pubs and hotels and it is vitally important that these are recognised as being of the highest possible quality. So much has been done to make the Vale of Evesham a ‘Visitor Destination’ that we need to ensure that, in respect our accommodation, it can be advertised safely through the widest possible media and it will not disappoint the visitor and will be precisely what was wanted and expected.
Of course some premises are already inspected and accredited, generally the larger hotels and guest houses, but the smaller Guest Houses, B&Bs, etc are frequently not. Many rely on their own ‘websites’ or advertising which is fine but VECTA believe they could be better served gaining ‘Accredited’ status.
In this era of Risk Assessment and Litigation, Tourist Information Centres and Tourism publication editors are being asked not to advertise ‘unaccredited accommodation’. As far fetched as it may seem, those that advertise a premises, where a guest was to suffer injury or loss as a result of any shortcoming in
|
that accommodation, could be held liable and sued for damages. To improve this situation it is recommended that all providers of serviced and non-serviced accommodation undergo an inspection by a qualified and recognised body. Thus the MTP is initiating a 2-years, ‘Accommodation Providers Accreditation’ project starting in 2008. VECTA fully supports this initiative.
This status will not only helps protect those involved in the accommodation industry but is also of paramount importance to maximise visit preference and potential. The National Quality Assessment Scheme is recognised and trusted throughout Britain and indeed the World. The outcome of this is that only Visit Britain and its partner ‘AA’ rated accommodation will be accepted and recognised under Trading Standards guidelines. The old symbols of Stars, diamonds or ticks are redundant and if used must include the year of the award. Such a prestigious and trusted ‘brand’ should help fill the beds!
To encourage participation, the MTP supported by VECTA and Evesham Town Council is planning to subsidise either an initial ‘Advisory Visit’ from the Quality in Tourism Team (this is the quality inspection arm of VB and is co-incidentally based in Broadway) or an initial full inspection visit (should applicants not wish to have an advisory visit). The project will be effective in the 2008-10 financial years and will be on a first-come-first-served basis and will be for a maximum of £100 for the first 40 applications. The money will only be available to Accommodation Providers that subsequently apply and pay for the joining and annual inspection fees. Free membership of VECTA will also be offered for the first year and they will also be encouraged to become to become a member of Destination Worcestershire (FOC) and to take advantage of the benefits on offer (See www.visitworcestershire.org ).
Finally, accredited providers will be offered a discount to advertise in the next Wychavon “Blossom and Vale Trail brochures”. |