Lets Get Assessed

What is a quality assessment?

Quality Assessment seeks to inform consumers before they book accommodation, to recognise quality and to differentiate levels of facilities and services, which as potential guests they can expect.

The standards Quality in Tourism assess to have been created as a result of harmonising standards from the National Tourist Boards for England, Scotland and Wales, but also with the cooperation of the AA and formerly the RAC.

Most of the schemes recognise increasingly levels of quality using 1 – 5 stars. Some schemes further recognise excellence with the use of Silver and Gold awards.

Please use the list below to gain an idea of the benefits associated with Quality Assessment.

One fee - so many benefits

	Quality Rating - use of the internationally recognised Quality Rose Marque.
	Assessment - clear unbiased feedback, advice and support on how to improve your rating.
	Website – free entry, with image, on enjoyEngland.com and visitbritain.com (named the 2007 world’s leading Tourism Authority internet site).
	Display Sign - all new participants receive a free external display sign.
	Route to market eligibility to participate in local destination and regional accommodation guides and websites.
	Exciting marketing exposure - TomTom, Google Maps to name a few. Any deals that VisitBritain broker are only available to quality-assessed establishments.
	Access to business support and marketing advice - through VisitBritain literature and, of course, the assessors.
	Guide Book - listing in the next available edition of the official Enjoy England Tourist Board guide to quality-assessed accommodation.

*Your product data is maintained by your local data steward at your local/regional tourism organisation. Please contact them for updates to ensure your business is accurately represented on the websites. For list of data stewards refer to www.enjoyengland.com/datastewards

What do I need to do and what are the next steps ...

Using the below scheme information select the scheme you would be assessed under. Complete the Application & Sector Information form and return to us together with your preferred method of payment.

If having read the appropriate documents you are still unsure as to the best fit for your property you may wish to purchase an advisory visit. This gives you the opportunity to discuss schemes and ratings with an Assessor on site. Please contact us on our helpline on 0845 300 6996 for further information.

We receive your application and assign an Assessor once your payment is cleared (for new applications, your establishment is then loaded as ‘rating applied for’ on the enjoyengland.com, visitbritain.com and linked international gateway websites operated by VisitBritain)

The Assessor makes contact (if your establishment is Serviced Accommodation or a Spa this will be incognito, if you are part of any other scheme the Assessor will make himself known to you)

The Assessor completes the assessment and feeds back to the proprietor (please note there is a lead time for assessment, if you are unsure of this or have a specific deadline please contact our helpline on 0845 300 6996)

We complete a written report* and send it out to you together with a confirmation of your rating (*We do offer an email version, please discuss with your assessor)

You are now Assessed and entitled to all the benefits of the National Quality Assessment scheme and use of the Quality Marque and display signage

Which scheme would I need to be assessed under?

The list below seeks to identify where your establishment might find a best fit. The criteria below are by no means exhaustive and you may need to download the relevant standard to check in more detail that the chosen scheme is appropriate for you.

Of course if you need further guidance you can call our helpline on 0845 300 6996.

Hotel Accommodation	A Hotel must have a minimum of 6 bedrooms, be licensed and offer dinner (unless suitable for Metro Hotel category). Also all bedrooms must be ensuite or have a private bathroom.
Budget Hotel	Are always part of a large ‘branded’ Hotel Group offering clean and comfortable en-suite facilities, 24-hour reservations and a consistent level of facilities.
Guest Accommodation	Guest Accommodation properties are likely to be smaller than Hotels with perhaps more of a family home feel and approach, and a less structured service.
Self-Catering Accommodation	All accommodation with its own kitchen and bathroom facilities. Most take bookings by the week, generally from a Friday or Saturday but short breaks are increasingly common.
Serviced Apartment	Provide an excellent alternative to Hotel Accommodation, found in many of our big cities, apartments offer hotel services such as maid service, concierge in addition to a self-contained unit with a kitchen.
Holiday, Touring & Camping Park	The rating for Holiday Home, Touring and Camping Parks reflect the overall quality of the park. This includes Parks, which cater for Touring Caravans and/or tents and may or may not include Caravan Holiday Homes, some of which may be available for hire.
Holiday Village	A Holiday Village usually comprises of a variety of types of accommodation with the majority provided in custom-built rooms (e.g. Chalet, Hotel rooms) on a large complex. A range of facilities and activities are also available which may or may not be included in the tariff.
Hostel Accommodation	Includes Bunkhouses, Camping Barns, Back Packer, Group (such as Youth Hostel Accommodation) and Activity Accommodation.
University / Campus	As the name suggests this scheme applies to educational establishments. Ratings can be further split into Guest Accommodation or Self Catering if these are more appropriate schemes. But in general campus accommodation is on a college or university site, with some aspects of communal living space.
Spa	A Spa offers professionally supervised treatments, some of which are likely to be water based, to enhance health, well-being and relaxation.
Individual Caravan Holiday Home	This includes Caravan Holiday Homes situated on Farms, Caravan Parks etc and are let by the owner as Self-Catering Accommodation.
Hire Craft & Hotel Boat	This scheme covers Narrowboats, Cruisers and Hotel Boats in small and large fleets across England’s waterways, the star ratings awarded reflect a combination of service, facilities and the overall quality and comfort of the boat.
Additional Assessment Options	Accessibility - This scheme provides a set of Accessible Standards against which establishments are assessed and awarded a rating. They cover three types of impairment – Mobility, Hearing and Visual.
	Welcome Schemes (must be booked in conjunction with a QiT annual assessment and further information can be found on your relevant sector specific page) Make the most of your property’s potential and stand out as a specialist with any of the following Welcome Schemes: - Walkers Welcome Cyclists Welcome Welcome Pets! Families Welcome
	VAQAS is a consumer focused quality assessment service for Visitor Attractions; it helps to identify strengths of an Attraction and highlights development areas, based on industry examples.