Benefits of being accredited...
There are many benefits associated with becoming an accredited business:
- Listing on websites such as ATAP and a discounted listing on visitvictoria.com;
- Parks Victoria will issue accredited businesses 3 year licences as opposed to one year for non-accredited businesses;
- Discounts and/or value added benefits when participating in marketing and advertising programs produced by Tourism Victoria;
- Benefits associated with national and international promotion of the accreditation ‘tick’ logo and the TQUAL mark as a symbol of quality within the tourism industry; and
- The accreditation logo being recognised and promoted in government-sponsored programs and tourism publications. Every accredited operator is issued with a distinctive logo, which may be used on all advertising and promotional material.
In addition your business can see the following results;
- Improved customer service and communications;
- Reduced complaints and complaints response processes;
- The ability to assure businesses and the consumer of the continued quality of services provided by that business, leading to improved customer relationships and reputation - resulting in repeat business;
- Improved risk management procedures and a commitment to training which in turn creates the opportunity to contain public liability insurance premium levels;
- Meeting of industry standards which underpin risk mitigation;
- Assists implementation of measures to enhance the total visitor experience and ultimate consumer satisfaction;
- Competitive positioning and improved reputation advantage in the marketplace and increased market share;
- Improvement in profitability and yield through implementation of better operating business systems;
- Improved employee morale and more effective management; and
- Some accredited business may even result in reduced insurance premiums – a benefit that can often far exceed accreditation fees.
In addition the industry as a whole will benefit as you are showing a commitment to ensuring that the Australian tourism industry retains its leading reputation in providing quality, enjoyable experiences.
What is involved in becoming accredited?
Once you have registered your interest to partake in the accreditation process you will be provided with access to the online program.
As this program is an online resource you are able to work at your own pace, enabling you to make use of the extensive resources and tools available.
Once you have completed your online application ATAP will conduct a desk top assessment. The aim of accreditation is to be inclusive – not exclusive – so if there are areas that need further clarification or are missing ATAP will contact you to provide assistance in completing the application.
After the desk top assessment has been successful the application will be presented to a panel committee for final approval. You will then be awarded accreditation status and be able to display the ‘tick’ logo with pride!
Accreditation is a three year cycle, subject to annual renewals. Once your application has been approved, a year later and the following year, a renewal will take place. A renewal is a shorter process whereby you update ATAP with business details, licences, insurances and continuous improvements. Once the three year cycle is complete you will be promoted to conduct a review on the businesses operating systems, this is to ensure they are kept up to date and relevant.
Within each three year cycle an onsite verification visit will be conducted were ATAP will visit the business premises and meet with the owner/manager to verify the application. This also gives ATAP the opportunity to provide further assistance and support to the business.
What does it cost to be accredited?
Fees are calculated on a sliding scale depending on the number of paid, full time (or equivalent) staff employed at your tourism business.
Fees start from as little as $240 (inc GST) and are renewable on an annual basis.
What is the TQUAL Mark?
TQUAL is the new national symbol of quality that identifies the best tourism operators in the country.
TQUAL provides a single, overarching framework for the country's many existing accreditation and ratings programs for which the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program (ATAP) was the first accreditation program to be approved under.
ATAP had already demonstrated the high standards set in this framework and therefore had no additional requirements for our businesses to meet to gain access to the TQUAL mark. Therefore by maintaining a businesses ATAP status they will get access to co-brand the TQUAL mark with the already well established ATAP brand, without having to undertake additional work.
The TQUAL mark was developed to give consumers a reliable symbol of quality for Australian tourism products and services. With $5.5 million in funding over four years, which includes marketing initiatives managed by Tourism Australia, the TQUAL mark will provide a nationwide tick of quality that consumers can recognise and trust.
For more information on TQUAL please visit www.ret.gov.au.
