Standards and Accreditation

Accreditation programs are usually managed by industry associations. Operators must achieve the standards outlined in their relevant program to become accredited and show that their business practices ensure their services and products are of a consistent quality and meet or exceed the expectations of their customers. The Queensland Government, through Tourism Queensland, supports, encourages and acknowledges industry-led tourism accreditation.

Benefits of accreditation for tourism businesses include:

• customer assurance of continued quality - improved customer relationships
• business improvement - quality management involves documentation of operational and management procedures, improved business knowledge, competence, sustainability, management and predictability
• competitive advantage - increased market share, profitability, official promotion on government sponsored programs, tourism publications, websites and publicity materials; and
• improved staff relationships, training and communications.

Tourism accreditation is a voluntary process designed to establish and continually improve industry standards for tourism businesses. Accreditation helps all tourism businesses improve the way they operate. An accredited tourism operator is committed to quality business practices and professionalism in all aspects of the enterprise.

Accreditation is ongoing, with an emphasis on business planning, operating systems and performance measurement. Accreditation is voluntary because the demands of a constantly changing marketplace can best be met through agreed industry standards rather than government imposed regulations. Voluntary systems also enable those operators who devote the time and resources to achieving accreditation standards to be recognised and distinguished from those operators who don’t.

The National Tourism Accreditation Framework (NTAF)

The National Tourism Accreditation Framework (NTAF) provides an umbrella framework under which existing quality and accreditation programs can apply to co-brand with a common national brand. It means that you can make sure your business is accredited by a quality assured program.

The NTAF will benefit consumers by providing them with a recognisable symbol of quality, the TQUAL mark, allowing them to make better-informed choices when selecting tourism products and services.

Accredited businesses will benefit through:

• The opportunity to differentiate themselves in the market
• Access to better insight into consumer preferences
• A marketing advantage by being associated with a symbol with increased brand recognition
• Preferential listing on Australian Tourism Data Warehouse distribution network through marketing channels like Australia.com and on State and Territory Tourism Organisation websites

For more information on NTAF or accreditation programs available to you please contact:

Vicki Jones
e: vicki.jones@qtic.com.au 
t: 3236-1445
w: click here 

Or check out TQUAL's latest Newsletter here for more insight into T-QUAL Accreditation.

Accreditation programs available to the tourism industry in Queensland:

• Caterers Gold Licence Accreditation Scheme (Restaurant and Catering Queensland)
• Caravan Parks Accreditation Program (Caravan Industry Australia)
• Nature and Ecotourism Accreditation Program (Ecotourism Australia)
• EcoGuide Certification Program (Ecotourism Australia)
• Savannah Guides (Savannah Guides Ltd)
• EarthCheck (EarthCheck Pty Ltd)
• Meetings Industry Association Accreditation Scheme (Meetings & Events Australia)
• Queensland Visitor Information Centre Signage Policy (Tourism Queensland)