Qualmark helps make sure we deliver 100% Pure New Zealand
experiences to our visitors by providing a national quality and
environmental accreditation system.
Jointly owned by Tourism New Zealand and the New Zealand
Automobile Association, and backed by leading industry
organisations, it provides a star-grading system for accommodation
providers and a quality endorsement programme for other tourism
businesses.
Qualmark helps our visitors and international travel sellers
select the right tourism experiences to suit their needs. By
looking for the Qualmark logo, consumers and travel sellers can
book and buy with confidence, knowing that the experiences will
live up to their expectations.
They can also be sure that the tourism experiences they choose
meet all legal requirements and that, through Qualmark Green, there
have plans in place to minimise social and environmental
impacts.
Qualmark objectives:
| To enable travellers to select accommodation, activity and
attraction options with confidence, knowing that the businesses
they've chosen have been quality assessed |
| To work with operators and the New Zealand tourism industry to
provide quality experiences for visitors |
How is Tourism New Zealand involved?
Tourism New Zealand works with Qualmark to help the tourism
industry deliver quality holiday experiences to visitors and
maintain a high level of visitor satisfaction. Our offshore staff
also work to raise the profile of Qualmark internationally, so that
our visitors know to look for the Qualmark logo when they come
here.
Tourism New Zealand promotes Qualmark offshore in a number of
ways:
- By profiling Qualmark at international trade and consumer
shows
- By educating travel sellers about the benefits of Qualmark -
for them and their customers
- By raising awareness of the Qualmark brand
- By profiling New Zealand as a sustainable tourism destination
through Qualmark Green
As part of our quality strategy, operators must
have a Qualmark accreditation to take part in Tourism New Zealand's
international trade marketing events and offshore trade shows.
What goes into achieving a Qualmark?
The Qualmark programme is based on a series of minimum standards
for tourism businesses in New Zealand and is divided into three
main areas:
- A star-grading system for accommodation operators
- Qualmark endorsements for operators of activities, transport,
visitor services and tours
- Qualmark Green, an environmental rating system for businesses
that exceed minimum expectations in environmental performance
Assessment criteria differ depending on the type of business.
The system is regularly reviewed, in consultation with operators
and other industry organisations, to ensure it adapts to changing
industry standards and customer expectations.
Qualmark accredited businesses are independently assessed by a
Qualmark assessor every year. Assessments take place on location at
the business and take around three hours. They look at all aspects
of the business, including:
- Customer service
- Standard of facilities
- Overall business operations
- Responsible tourism and environmental practices
- General safety
The assessment checks that a business has met the necessary
legal, insurance, and health and safety requirements.
In order to apply for Qualmark assessment, businesses must have
been in operation for one year or more.
Find out more about Getting Your Qualmark and getting
the most out of the programme for your business.
What is Qualmark Green?
Qualmark Green assesses businesses in the areas of waste
management, energy and water efficiency, environmental conservation
and community support.
Minimum requirements for some of these areas are now
incorporated across all Qualmark assessments, but operators that
perform highly are able to apply to display Qualmark Green
Enviro-logos. Eligible businesses may qualify for Enviro-Gold,
Enviro-Silver or Enviro-Gold ratings, depending on their
performance.
These ratings sit alongside regular Qualmark endorsement or
accreditation logos, and help our international visitors identify
tourism businesses that have made a substantial commitment to
responsible tourism practices.
For more information on Qualmark Green visit www.responsibletourism.co.nz or visit the Responsible Tourism
section of this website.
Want to know more?
Visit Qualmark's website - www.qualmark.co.nz - for more information about
the Qualmark system, a listing of all Qualmark accredited operators
and information for tourism businesses.
See our Visitor
Experience Monitor research for information on awareness and
influence of the Qualmark programme.
