Newfoundland and Labrador Product Development Strategy

Qualmark - New Zealand's official quality tourism sitehttp://www.qualmark.co.nz/other.shtmlPage 1 of 35/2/2004SearchSearch here for places tostay, things to do, ways toget around and visitorservicesType of search--Select from list--Qualmark status--Select from list--Region--Select from list--NZ MapStar grade definitions:AcceptableGoodVery goodExcellentExceptionalApplied For UndergoingassessmentThe assessmentprocessTourism businessesAll non-accommodation tourism businesses seeking theQualmark endorsement are assessed against standard genecriteria based around customer expectations in six core qualitareas.Some businesses must also be assessed against additional crthat are specific to their type of operation. For example, thereadditional "bolt-on" criteria for all adventure tourism businessas well as sector specific "bolt-on" criteria for some sectors liksea kayaking, horse trekking, and all terrain vehicles etc. Theadditional criteria typically fall into the quality areas of "Genesafety and welfare", "Facilities and equipment" and "You andstaff", and may be in the form of additional minimumrequirements or quality scoring criteria."Endorsed" definition:Professional andtrustworthyFor more detaileddefinitions Click here"It enables the customer toshop with confidence in theknowledge that they aredealing with a retailer thatwill ensure customersatisfaction."Simply New ZealandThe assessment criteria for the endorsement system are basethe quality tourism standards (QTS) developed by the industrunder the guidance of the Tourism Industry Association (TIANand published for the first time in 2001. Some sectors havefurther extended the standards to ensure they are appropriatthe special aspects and requirements of those businesses.Qualmark has taken the QTS and additional standards andadapted them into assessment criteria capable of producingaccurate and meaningful results for the full range of tourismbusinesses. These criteria were the subject of extensivediscussion, consultation, trials and a formal pilot programmeduring 2002, prior to the launch of the endorsement system.