9 May 2010
The winners in the 2010 AA Travel Guides American Express Accommodation Awards programme were announced at the Tourism Indaba in Durban this evening.
Now in its seventeenth year, this consumer-based programme is well known for identifying and awarding the best tourist accommodation establishments in South Africa, thereby giving them a huge marketing advantage.
More than 47 000 consumers commented on approximately 1 300 AA Quality Assured or star graded establishments across the country this year.
This year AA Travel Guides has also included electronic feedback, which constitutes about 15% of feedback in total.
Forty winners were announced in categories such as self-catering resorts, bed & breakfasts, township accommodation, game lodges and different types of hotels. Guests commented on aspects such as service levels, ambience, food and the general quality of facilities.
Convenor Vanessa Sand says the awards programme grows in size every year and this year competition has been particularly stiff. “The fact that only establishments with recognised quality indicators may enter the programme already sets a high standard and after a rigorous judging process we are confident that our winners are the best in the market.”
She says being a finalist or a winner in a specific category definitely gives an establishment an enviable marketing edge, making the programme so popular.
All information received from guests, whether positive or negative, is sent back to participating establishments. “This assists managers to improve certain aspects of their operations or to maintain existing high standards,” says Sand, “and makes the programme a very effective tool to respond to the needs of consumers.”
High scoring establishments were examined carefully and were visited by qualified and experienced assessors to verify that high scores were justified.
The winners and finalists will receive widespread exposure through the annual ‘South Africa’s Best’ accommodation guide, which is distributed at local and international travel fairs, and through the media. Lists of finalists and winners can also be viewed on www.accommodationawards.co.za.
The awards programme is supported by American Express Card, Sealy, BnB Sure and the Industrial Development Corporation.
Press release by:
Sarah Munro
AA Travel Guides
Tel 011 713 2000 / 082 759 4473
On behalf of: Vanessa Sand - CEO of AA Travel Guides
