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This update also highlights the third edition of South African Tourism’s innovative ‘Live South Africa’ campaign, which is captivating audiences in the North European markets of the Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden. Discover how this creative initiative is inspiring travellers to visit South Africa to enjoy its diverse experiences.

There is no reason to stay home this festive season. The Sho’t Left website features 667 incredible travel deals. To get a glimpse of the options available, read about four standout deals included in this update.

TGCSA’s nationwide workshops pave the way towards modernised grading criteria

The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) held a series of workshops across South Africa’s provinces in October and November 2024, engaging stakeholders in a consultative process to update and modernise the country’s tourism grading criteria.

The workshops – attended by key industry associations such as the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa, Southern African Association for the Conference Industry and others – are part of a comprehensive effort to align South Africa’s grading criteria with global standards, travel trends and evolving consumer expectations.

The grading criteria must be reviewed every three years to ensure their relevance. This round of reviews focuses on updating the grading criteria for responsible practices (sustainability) and universal accessibility and developing grading criteria for Attractions and Experiences.

Bronwen Auret, TGCSA’s Chief Quality Assurance Officer, says the consultation process is a critical step in fulfilling the TGCSA’s mandate under the Tourism Act of 2014 to provide quality assurance for the tourism sector.

During the workshops, the TGCSA presented emerging trends such as the rise of digital nomadism – a shift that calls for rethinking traditional accommodation offerings – as well as growing demand for sustainability and the importance of universal design and access. The TGCSA also invited feedback from industry players to shape the updated criteria.

Sustainability

The TGCSA emphasised global efforts to reduce environmental impacts including minimising single-use plastics in hotel rooms and conference venues and promoting water-saving practices.

“There were robust discussions around the use of top sheets in hotels to conserve water, weighing sustainability against guest expectations of luxury,” says Auret.

Similarly, international practices, such as allowing guests to opt out of daily room cleaning, reflecting a broader move towards eco-conscious practices, were explored.

Universal design and accessibility

In a separate series of workshops, the TGCSA addressed universal design and accessibility. Stakeholders, including organisations, focused on disability and advocacy, shared insights on creating tourism products that cater to people with varying abilities and suggested what should be included in the criteria.

Auret says inclusivity is about integrating universal access without making it appear separate or different. She stresses the need for properties to cater for universal access in the design phase rather than retrofits after construction.

For example, she explains, the Ximuwu five-star lodge – located in the Klaserie region of Kruger National Park – has thoughtful design elements demonstrating how inclusivity can seamlessly integrate into luxury experiences. “Features such as wide doors and limited elevations formed part of the architectural design with game-viewing vehicles able to accommodate wheelchairs. Staff have also been trained to serve guests with different abilities.”

Other considerations for inclusion in the criteria are braille signage at establishments for visually impaired people and voice-overs in lifts for people with impaired hearing.

Extending quality assurance to attractions and experiences

The Tourism Act calls for quality assurance of products across the tourism sector. TGCSA, in consultation with industry stakeholders, will work towards creating standards for attractions and experiences.

“The TGCSA has done a lot of work on a code of conduct with our stakeholders and is looking forward to embarking on a similarly robust consultation process with industry players. We are committed to developing standards that uphold safety and quality across the sector,” states Auret.

Rigorous and collaborative grading process

Updating the grading criteria involves multiple phases – beginning with research and benchmarking followed by extensive stakeholder consultation – when input is collected on every line item in the criteria. Feedback from these workshops is then analysed before recommendations are submitted to the TGCSA Board.

Once the TGCSA Board approves the recommended modifications, the proposed criteria are submitted to the Department of Tourism for assessment impact evaluation facilitated by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation.

It will then be published in the Government Gazette for public comment before completion. "This rigorous process ensures inclusivity and vigorous debate, resulting in criteria that serve the industry and consumers," says Auret.

Ensuring confidence in graded establishments

With over 4 600 graded establishments nationwide and 50 accredited assessors, the TGCSA ensures quality across the tourism sector. A property’s grading is valid for one year with ongoing inspections maintaining compliance.

Consumers are encouraged to provide feedback on graded establishments via the TGCSA’s website (www.tourismgrading.co.za) or email (feedback@tourismgrading.co.za) to enable accountability and continuous improvement.

“Whether it’s a one-star or five-star property, every graded establishment meets specific industry standards, giving travellers confidence in their choice of accommodation,” says Auret.

A consumer-centric approach

The grading criteria exist for the benefit of consumers, Auret points out. “Participation by the tourism industry is vital to this process, ensuring our products not only meet but exceed expectations, fostering repeat visits and positive word-of-mouth recommendations for South Africa’s tourism sector."