Introduction

We are delighted to launch the newly restructured AA Quality Assured Accommodation Awards Programme.

The changes are extensive:

  1. Only AA Quality Assured members are eligible to participate.
  2. Categories have been harmonised with AA Quality Assured categories hence you compete against other similar establishments. To see the full list of categories please go to www.aatravel.co.za/categories.
  3. The structure of the awards process has been completely altered to include a Regional and National level. The first round will be categories per Province. Regions 1 to 9 correspond to the provinces of SA. (As we now have AA Quality Assured properties outside South Africa these may participate and will comprise another region). In the second round, the Provincial Winners become the Finalists at National level.
  4. The timing has altered and the awards evening takes place next August in Johannesburg on the night before the Getaway Show opens to coincide with Tourism Month.
  5. The methods of participation are as follows:
    1. Electronic Feedback: Submit guest reviews directly into the Guest Review section on your complimentary webpage on www.aatravel.co.za
    2. AA Guest Review forms which you can order in batches of 250 or 500. Note that forms are only going to be printed in English and Afrikaans. Feedback options in French and  German will be made available via the review method on www.aatravel.co.za.
    3. Electronically via an aPad. An aPad is similar to an Apple iPad which has been customised to turn into a Digital Guest Book. Guests use this device to enter their Guest Reviews via a touch screen and easy to use interface. You need to connect it to your Wi-Fi internet system. The aPad can also be used as a digital photo frame or as an airport meet ‘n greet board. Note please contact us if you do not yet have a Wi-Fi facility – we have a solution for you.
    4. Electronically via eGuestSurv Reviews – see www.accommodationawards.co.za/eGuestSurv.

Note that we do need to receive your application form indicating that you are participating.
 
AA Awards 2011 photos

AA Awards 2011 photos.
 
2011 Winners Announced

 

WINNERS IN NATIONAL ACCOMMODATION AWARDS ANNOUNCED

The winners in the 2011 AA Travel Guides American Express Accommodation Awards programme were announced at a gala awards ceremony at the annual tourism Indaba in Durban this evening (See list).

Winners were announced in 40 categories such as guest houses, bed & breakfasts, self-catering establishments, township accommodation, game lodges and different types of hotels.

Now in its eighteenth year, this prestigious consumer-based programme is the only established mechanism for consumers to voice their opinion about the quality of tourist accommodation in South Africa.

More than 41 000 consumers commented on approximately 1 100 AA Quality Assured or star-graded establishments across the country this year, either electronically or by completing quest critique forms.  Guests commented on aspects such as service levels, ambience, food and the quality of facilities.

Convenor Vanessa Sand says the awards programme grows in popularity each year and the honour of emerging a winner or a finalist is fiercely sought after by contestants as this gives a very definite marketing edge to their establishments.

“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.”

High-scoring establishments were examined carefully and were visited by qualified and experienced assessors to verify that high scores were justified.

Winners and finalists in the programme receive extensive publicity and are listed in the annual South Africa’s Best publication, 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.

Because all information received from guests, whether positive or negative, is sent back to participating establishments, Sand says the awards programme plays a significant role in improving standards of accommodation in the country.  “Our feedback assists establishments to improve certain aspects of their operations, if necessary, and to maintain existing high standards."

“Of course the programme is also hugely beneficial to consumers as it enables them to choose a winning establishment when wanting to stay over.  We are proud that our programme is a very effective tool to respond to the needs of consumers,” she says.

The awards programme is supported by American Express Card, Avis, BnB Sure and Sealy.

 

 

 
 

Newsflash

The 2011 AA Accommodation Awards winners have been announced at the AA Accommodation Awards dinner gala event on Sunday, 8 May 2011. Results are available above.