Introduction

With the introduction of the voluntary Star Grading of Caravan and Camping Resorts by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA), leading role players in the hospitality as well as in the caravanning and camping industry have set out a Grading Criteria for the Star Grading of Resorts. Each resort wishing to be graded firstly needs to comply with the minimum criteria as set out by the working group and the Tourism Grading Council (TGCSA). This is the standard with which you can reap the rewards of being part of world-class tourism in South Africa. Research has shown that the symbol that the travelling guest most closely associates with the quality of tourist accommodation is the STAR symbol, therefore the parks grading scheme, likened to the Hotel, Self-catering and Guest House grading, uses the Star symbol to denote park quality – one to five Star.

Many caravanners and campers have in the past been content with the facilities offered by resort owners, but with the arrival of more sophisticated, and more expensive caravanning and camping equipment, the public is expecting better and more comfortable, let's say, luxurious facilities. The old “I will take it as it comes” attitude and consensus is now becoming a thing of the past. The camping public and the Local and International tourist is now not only looking for value for money coupled with quality service and decent facilities, but are coming to expect it.

The raising of standards is crucial to the future development of the caravanning and camping industry, and to achieve a quality product, all elements of the park must meet or exceed customer expectations. There is only one tool with which the local and International tourist can monitor quality assurance, and that is by means of the internationally recognized Star Grading System . With many of today's modern medium-sized caravans hovering just below, or even exceeding R100 000.00 with a towing vehicle ranging between R150 000.00 – R200 000.00, it doesn't make sense that certain caravanners are looking for, “Budge-price” accommodation, yet are expecting “5 Star” facilities. Bear in mind that the top of the range Jurgens Exclusive would set you back close to R150 000!

The average age of campers have normally been between 35 – 45 year old, while most members of Caravan and Camping Clubs are even older than 45. Younger families are now turning towards caravanning and camping – one reason been the emergence of sophisticated and comfortable equipment. Another contribution towards the increase in caravanning and camping is the growing influx of international tourists. These visitors normally hire motor homes, and are expecting above average facilities, immaculate sanitary ablution amenities, and above all, good value for their money.

In this Guide, I wish to set out some simple advice and suggestions that resort owners need to work through before calling out a grading assessor to grade your resort. This will save you a tremendous amount of both time and money. The Minimum Requirements and Basic Criteria is downloadable from www.TourismGrading.co.za and www.CaravanParks.com websites.

Please do not set your expectations too high, but be reasonable about the most appropriate star grading for your resort. Not all resorts can be a five star! Also remember that a 1-star resort is an acceptable resort. There are of course many resorts that won't even get a 1-star!

We do not believe that resorts, once graded, should automatically increase their tariffs. Graded resorts will definitely benefit from having been graded, and will receive more patronage as a result of acquiring a grading status, as the grading of the resort will put into perspective the quality of service and facilities offered by the Star Graded Resort.

In this Guide, we will have a look at what makes a resort gradable, thereby ensuring that this respective resort is definitely a Top Resort in the country.

Over the years I have visited or stayed at literally hundreds of resorts throughout South Africa, and I am personally amazed and distraught at the lack of quality at many of these resorts. I have stayed at or visited numerous of these resorts based on their advertising or so-called past or present ratings, and I do not hesitate to say that the “Star Grading” of resorts will now sort out the “men from the boys”. Only the graded resorts will acquire Top Recognition and credit for their efforts. A non-graded resort, unless it has something exceptional, will in future be a resort to be weary of. What we are saying here is; “A Star Graded resort will be a safer bet as opposed to a non-graded resort, bearing in mind that we are not saying that a resort not graded is not a worthwhile resort.” The Grading System in reality establishes “Consumer Confidence.” It says that a Star Graded Resort is a proud resort and a proud resort is not only a well-run resort, but also, from the public's point of view, a resort worth visiting!”

A resort that carries even a ‘One Star' is a Top resort, albeit not ‘The Best Resort around', as the resort will have met between 50 and 60 % of the ‘Five Star' resort's criteria. A One Star resort should be proud of its achievements, and it will have met all the Basic Criteria needed to have attained a ‘One Star' rating! This resort will have set its standards, and as time goes by, will strive to ‘climb the ladder to stardom!'

Please also remember that the Star Grading System does not measure the advantages offered by a sought after location such as next to or located in a game park or “right on the beach”. Neither does the system reward a resort for being popular or for creating an emotional experience. We cannot and will not even try to award marks for good birding experiences or for having wonderful views etc. The main aim of the Star Grading System is to establish a system whereby resorts will be judged on the quality of the facilities, the quality of service offered and management efficiency offered by the resort.

The assessment will take into consideration the décor which will include all walls, ceilings, woodwork, furniture and fittings, and the quality of all curtains, wall coverings and hangings, ornaments and additional attempt at innovative and interesting features will be an added factor.