Quality Assurance

Business Support

Quality Assurance

Raising Quality

If we can assure visitors of a quality experience then they are more likely to return and to spread the word to their friends and family.

Raising quality means:

• meeting and exceeding customer expectations
• raising business performance
• putting quality behind everything you do
• working with other businesses in your destination
• working towards sustainability

VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 

These annual awards celebrate the very best in tourism quality across England.  

Read more about the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence

What is Quality Assurance?

Quality Assurance means being assessed by national quality assurance schemes that give visitors the reassurance that, when they see the national award symbols at accommodation establishments, restaurants and visitor attractions, they will be guaranteed of a top 'quality' visit.  

There are national schemes for accommodation providers, visitor attractions, and hospitality and catering businesses.

How do I get assessed?

For accommodation providers

National Quality Assessment Scheme (NQAS)

The national body that assess accommodation providers is:

• Quality in Tourism  

Quality in Tourism is the body contracted by VisitEngland to carry out assessments on their behalf.  This organisation adheres to national standards known as the National Quality Assessment Scheme (NQAS).

The scheme assess Hotels, B&B’s and Guest Accommodation and Self-Catering accommodation. Quality in Tourism also assess Serviced Apartments, Parks, Holiday Villages, Hostels, University Campus, Boats and alternative Accommodation.

Ratings are awarded by type of accommodation (Hotels, B&Bs, Holiday Parks etc) and usually range from one to five stars based on the range and standard of facilities and levels of service.

Assessment is carried out by an assessor visiting your business and assessing the quality of your facilities and services.  The assessor will then award you a rating and a report containing feedback.

Become assessed by Quality in Tourism

For Visitor Attractions

Visitor Attractions Quality Assessment Scheme (VAQAS) and Places of Interest Quality Assurance Scheme (PIQAS)

There is one nationally recognised attraction quality scheme for attractions called VAQAS which is operated by VisitEngland.

VisitEngland also oversees the Places of Interest Quality Assurance Scheme (PDF)  for visitor attractions sites that are generally smaller and have less interpretation and visitor services than those found in VAQAS.   To join PIQAS, call 020 7578 1451 or email vaqas@visitengland.org

Visit the VAQAS website for more information on both schemes.

For Hospitality and Catering businesses

Assessement schemes for Hospitality and Catering businesses

The AA offer a widely accepted assessment scheme for restaurants, and the AA Rosette award for restaurants is internationally recognised. 

The Hospitality Assured scheme is a quality standard created by the Institute of Hospitality for businesses operating in the hospitality, tourism and leisure sectors.  It provides a framework for measuring customer satisfaction and improving business performance. 

The Hotel Catey Awards, overseen by Caterer & Hotelkeeper, have become the hotel industry's only truly independent benchmark of operational excellence.  The awards recognise, reward and celebrate the unsung heroes who work tirelessly to support the UK's hotel sector by delivering an exceptional guest experience day in, day out.

What are the benefits of getting assessed?

• Free listings on www.visitbritain.com and www.enjoyengland.com attracting over 1 million unique visitors every month, with links to your website.
• Unlimited use of internationally recognised logos, emblems and wall signage
• Annual assessment by one of VisitEngland’s professional assessors giving clear and unbiased feedback
• Access to VisitBritain, VisitEngland and regional marketing opportunities
• Access to training and workshops
• Free online subscription to www.accommodationknowhow.co.uk

How do I find out more?

Quality in Tourism for accommodation providers

VAQAS for visitor attractions

Enjoy England's PIQAS (PDF) for places of interest

Hospitality Assured for hospitality, tourism & leisure businesses

Hotel Catey Awards for the hotel and catering industry

How to....make the most of Quality Assurance

We have created a helpful document that takes you through a stage-by-stage process of making sure you put customers first in all areas of your business, as well as how to make a Quality Plan.

Download and read How To.....make the most of Quality Assurance