With more and more international shows and artists heading to SA, it is clear that the 2010 World Cup has definitely had a marked influence on tourism in South Africa and the world's view of the country. Recent statistics have shown that tourist arrivals increased by a staggering 15% over the last 12 months - that translates to more than a reality of over 8 million foreign visitors visiting our shores (compared to 7 million in 2009).
It is therefore no small surprise that the Department of Tourism and major players in the tourism industry are now pulling out all the stops to maintain this level of growth and development and the economic benefits it brings for the country.
To this end, Minister of Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, has unveiled a new tourism grading system for accommodation and other establishments in South Africa. The Department of Tourism has been working on revising SA's grading system since 2009 and the result is said to be a grading system we can be truly proud of. The revision process was not just a review of the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa's (TGCSA) grading criteria and minimum requirements, but also an examination of their entire operating systems to ensure effective official quality assurance for accommodation establishments in South Africa.
"The aim was to not only ensure that South Africa can maintain its international competitiveness as a tourist destination, but indeed to show that we can be world leaders in terms of quality assurance," Minister van Schalkwyk said.
For more information on the new grading criteria visit the TGCSA website or click here.
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