Queensland’s tourism industry to benefit from accreditation
February 17th, 2011
The Bligh Government has jump-started a tourism accreditation scheme which will encourage operators and assure visitors they are dealing with reputable businesses.
Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said national accreditation was an important way for accomplished tourism businesses to be recognised within their industry, and also provided visitors with a way of identifying them.
Mr Lawlor said the scheme would deliver a two-year pilot program to encourage as many tourism businesses as possible to gain recognition under the National Tourism Accreditation Framework.
“This is all about our tourism businesses recognising, committing and adhering to national operating standards so visitors can be assured they are dealing with a recognised operator,” Mr Lawlor said.
The Bligh Government is providing funding for a dedicated accreditation program manager who will guide tourism operators through the accreditation process.
Mr Lawlor said this manager – Vicki Jones – had more than 20 years’ experience in the tourism industry in Queensland and the Northern Territory, and had been involved with a wide variety of industry-led accreditation and certification organisations including Savannah Guides, Ecotourism Australia, the Northern Territory Tourism Accreditation program, and Guides of Australia.
“Ms Jones is dedicated to the improvement and professionalism of both businesses and individuals in the tourism industry, and to helping the industry achieve the highest standards of operation,” he said
Mr Lawlor said the program had the support of Tourism Queensland too, which encourages all tourism businesses to recognise the benefits of accreditation and to take steps to become accredited.
“I’m encouraging Queensland tourism businesses to put Ms Jones on ‘speed dial’ to get the accreditation ball rolling,” he said.
“Initiatives such as accreditation are one way in which businesses impacted by recent flooding and cyclones can grow their businesses successfully into the future,” he said.