The Star Grading of Resorts

The Star Grading of Caravan and Camping Resorts will now put into perspective the expectations of the caravanning and camping holidaymaker and tourist.

The entire Assessment and Grading procedure is set out in a Grading Criteria document, with a total of twenty-nine categories that can be assessed.

Each category is scored on a scale of one to ten. The assessor examines each category, determines the point value as per the documented criteria and records the score on an assessment form. With ten being excellent quality (five star) in as far as services, equipment, décor, paint and or tiling etc., nine as very good quality (four or five star), and eight representing good quality (three or four star) and so on down the scale to one as being unacceptable. (One star scores a minimum of four or five out of ten, with ablution facilities having to score six or more out of ten).

The score will be based on:
	The assessor's experience which will comprise a balance between quality and condition (taste and fashion will not have an influence)
	Consumer feedback and comments.

The score is defined as follows:
	Excellent	-	10
	Very good	-	9
	Good	-	8
	Standard	-	6 or 7
	Acceptable	-	5
	Poor	-	3 or 4
	Unacceptable	-	1 or 2

The grade awarded to a park is based on percentage bands. Comparing the total marks scored against the total possible marks arrives at the percentage.

The Assessor has been trained to develop a concept of the quality of the facilities in the caravan park by making a decision based on the following premises: -

	Excellent	-	Unreasonable to expect anything significantly better
	Very good	-	Capable of some small improvement
	Good	-	Capable of improvement in several aspects
	Acceptable	-	Scope for improvement in a considerable number of aspects
	Poor	-	Only just acceptable with a need for improvement in most aspects
	Unacceptable	-	The overall quality is below an acceptable level in all aspects

The required overall score for each grading band is as follows:

• 
  95% - 100%
  An overall exceptional standard with exceptional quality and luxurious facilities, matching best international standards. Highest standard of facilities, service and meticulous guest care.
  
  
• 
  85% - 94%
  An overall excellent standard with excellent quality with a very high standard facilities, service and guest care.
  
  
• 
  71% - 84%
  An overall very good standard coupled with superior quality with a high standard of facilities, service and guest care.
  
  
• 
  61% - 70%
  An overall good standard, offering good quality in the overall standards of facilities, service and guest care.
  
  
• 
  51% - 60%
  An overall fair and acceptable standard with acceptable/modest quality in the overall standard of facilities, service and guest care.

Parks scoring less than 50% of the total possible marks will not be awarded a grade, which goes to show that a park that achieves a One Star Status, is an acceptable park – it has achieved between 51% and 60%.

If during the assessment, the assessor comes across a broken or missing item, such as a flickering fluorescent light tube, broken windowpane or recently blocked drain, the assessor will use his judgement, and based on the history of the park and the attention to detail that is evident elsewhere, these items will be pointed out to management, and the response will be considered and incorporated into the grading. A full report will nevertheless be submitted to the resort owner for his attention a few days after the assessment.

The objective of the Star Grading of Caravan and Camping Resorts is to lead to an improvement of standards in the industry, and to offer a System that is credible and understood both locally and internationally, thereby ensuring a high standard of courtesy, cleanliness and service.

All Caravan and Camping Resort owners will be able to voluntary apply for the Star Grading of their resort for a grading of between one and five Stars.

The value of having your Caravan and Camping Resort Star Graded, automatically gives your resort a Quality Guarantee, which gives both domestic and international tourists and holidaymakers an undertaking towards a quality assured experience.

A Graded Caravan and Camping Resort enjoys the use of the Grading Council Logo depicting their stars awarded on their marketing collateral and allows you to position your resort in the market.

A Graded Resort will allow you to display the Grading Council Plaque on your property giving visitors confidence in their choice of resort, ensuring them an improvement in facilities and service levels as opposed to non-graded resorts.

All Graded Resorts will have preferential listing on the Tourism Grading Council's website, www.TourismGrading.co.za , on the South African Tourism Website, www.SouthAfrica.net as well as on www.CaravanParks.com website, thereby giving you Global exposure as being a Graded Resort. Your resort will surely now be a true ‘Top Resort' in the Country.