F.A.Q for Tourism Businesses

Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions. Before calling or emailing any queries you may have, please take a moment to read through the following.

Questions for Tourism Businesses

Q1: What is Accreditation?
Q2: Is Accreditation Mandatory?
Q3: Why is Accreditation important for Tourism businesses?
Q4: What are the benefits of being Accredited?
Q5: Is Accreditation the same as the star-rating?
Q6: Who manages Accreditation?
Q7: Is Tourism Accreditation unique to Victoria?
Q8: Can all businesses become Accredited?
Q9: I am starting up a tourism business. Should I wait until my business is established before embarking on Accreditation?
Q10: What happens if I don't become Accredited?
Q11: Is Accreditation a government initiative?

Q1: What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is a set of industry standards established by the tourism industry to provide a model for better business practice and customer service. In other words, Accreditation provides business operators with a guide or outline of industry requirements to help them plan, develop, improve and document their business practices and procedures. Some of these requirements include; having relevant licences and insurances, a current and implemented business plan, staff employment policies, customer care procedures, environmental policies, booking procedures, etc.

Q2: Is Accreditation Mandatory?

No. Accreditation is a voluntary industry program.

Q3: Why is Accreditation important for Tourism businesses?

One of the main objectives of Accreditation is to help establish professional standards that are consistent and credible amongst tourism operators throughout Australia.

Accreditation sets benchmarks and provides assistance so that tourism businesses throughout Australia, although unique in the experience or product that they offer consumers operate to a consistent standard of professionalism.

Furthermore, Accreditation allows businesses to be rewarded and acknowledged for their commitment to professionalism. It provides consumers / visitors with the confidence to expect the same level of professional business practice as they travel from one Accredited business to another. Accreditation also provides other tourism businesses and regulatory bodies with an understanding that industry needs are being met through a more uniformed level of practice.

Q4: What are the benefits of being Accredited?

Accredited businesses receive a number of benefits including:

Industry and consumer recognition through the numerous marketing and advertising campaigns that promote the benefits of choosing an Accredited business. Promotion takes place via a variety of media (including online, electronic newsletters, print media, television campaigns, Tourism Victoria's website, etc.)
Benefits (i.e. discounts, priority listing etc) associated with being part of Tourism Victoria subsidised co-operative marketing activities i.e. Jigsaw Brochures, 'Bed and Breakfast Getaways Guide', 'Wine Regions of Victoria', visitvictoria.com, various regional tourism brochures as well as AAA Tourism's 'Experience Victoria' publication etc.
Discount when renewing with visitvictoria.com
Continued access to Tourism Victoria subsidised co-operative marketing activities
Sector, Regional and Local Tourism Association benefits
Discount on Hotel Motel and Accommodation Association of Victoria (HMAAV) membership
A three year licence issued by Parks Victoria (normally 1 year for non-Accredited businesses)
Marketing collateral is provided to help promote the Accredited status of your business

Q5: Is Accreditation the same as the star-rating?

No. Accreditation is concerned with all the 'back of house' elements of your business. Therefore, Accreditation requires businesses to have relevant licences and insurances in place and have documented business planning, policies and procedures. The requirements are based on areas of a business such as customer care, staff management and health and safety. Star-rating however, is concerned with the 'front of house' standards of the business in terms of the facilities provided to consumers by the business.

Q6: Who manages Accreditation?

Accreditation is an industry initiative and is not run by a government body. The Tourism Accreditation Board of Victoria Inc. (TABV) is a voluntary management committee for tourism Accreditation made up of representatives from peak industry bodies including:

Aboriginal Tourism Australia Ltd.
Accomodation Getaways Victoria.
The Australian Camps Association.
Australian Tourism Accreditation Program.
Clubs Victoria.
Hotel Motel and Accommodation Association (Victoria) Inc.
Museums Australia (Victoria) Inc.
National Eco Tourism Accreditation Program.
Tourism Alliance Victoria.
Tourism Victoria.
Victorian Caravan Parks Association Inc.
Victorian Wineries Tourism Council.

There are a number of Accreditation programs available for businesses operating within Victoria's tourism industry. These programs include:

Australian Tourism Accreditation Program (ATAP)
The Australian Camps Association (ACA)
Caravan, RV & Accommodation Industry of Australia
Museums Accreditation Program (MAP)
Eco Certification Program (ECP)

Q7: Is Tourism Accreditation unique to Victoria?

Tourism Accreditation Australian Ltd is the national authority on Tourism Accreditation. Tourism Accreditation is a vital component in the national drive towards enhanced professionalism and the competitiveness of Australia's tourism industry.

Nationally endorsed programs include the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program and the five sector-specific programs for caravan, camping and museums. Currently there are over 3,000 tourism businesses Accredited nationally.

Q8: Can all businesses become Accredited?

Any business that caters for visitors or operates within the tourism industry is welcome to apply for Accreditation.

Sector specific programs are available for business operating the Caravan, Camping and Museum sectors of the industry. The Australian Tourism Accreditation Program is a generic Accreditation program catering for tourism industry sectors such as:

Accommodation
Attractions
Tour Operators
Visitor Information Centres
Wineries
Retail

Q9: I am starting up a tourism business. Should I wait until my business is established before embarking on Accreditation?

Accreditation is a great process to go through as you are starting up your tourism business. Although you may not be ready to apply until your business is running, the Accreditation requirements will be an excellent guide to implementing effective planning, procedures and policies to get your business going.

Various workshops are held throughout the year focusing on Tourism Accreditation, tourism excellence and assisting operators in starting up a tourism business. The Australian Tourism Accreditation Program, Tourism Alliance Victoria and & Tourism Victoria regularly run sessions for new and upcoming businesses or operators striving to improve their business. Please contact the TABV office for further details.

Q10: What happens if I don't become Accredited?

It is not mandatory to have tourism industry Accreditation. If you are not Accredited you will not be eligible for the benefits linked to Accreditation.

Q11: Is Accreditation a government initiative?

No. Tourism Accreditation is an industry developed and operated initiative.

The State Government however, through Tourism Victoria, supports industry-led tourism Accreditation and is progressively extending greater encouragement and acknowledgement for Accredited operators.