A TOTAL of 168 finalists in the 2008 AA Travel Guides American Express Accommodation Awards programme have been announced. They include a number of local guesthouses.
This programme is the only established mechanism that consumers can use to express their views about the quality of tourist accommodation in South Africa and is now in its fifteenth year.
The 34 award categories include different types of guesthouses and hotels, game lodges, self-catering resorts and lodges.
Convenor Vanessa Sand says consumer feedback on more than 1 200 AA Quality Assured or star graded establishments was received this year.
“We received some 35 000 questionnaires commenting on guest experiences related to service, cleanliness, value-for-money and the quality of food.
“This is hugely valuable information, all of which is sent back to establishments so that they can see where they are successful and where there may be room for improvement.
“We believe the awards programme is an important component in the overall standard of the industry.”
“Consumer feedback is the key,” she says. “If consumers feel you are at the top of your class, news travels fast and it translates into new business.”
High scoring establishments in the programme were examined carefully and visited by qualified and experienced assessors to verify that high scores were justified.
Western Cape finalists include Franschhoek establishments Akademie Street Guesthouses, Auberge Bligny, Gable Manor, La Fontain, La Manoir de Brendel and Maison Chablis, as well as Aster Palms in Paarl.
The winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony at the Tourism Indaba in Durban on 11 May.
