Proposal to phase out official grading schemes in England

Visit Wales

There have been reports in the press recently on The Department for Culture Media and Sport’s (DCMS) tourism strategy and the proposal to phase out official grading to be replaced with a consumer-led system like TripAdvisor. In response to these articles and subsequent media coverage on the subject, we’d like to make it clear that any recommendations regarding grading in the DCMS tourism strategy, to be published later this year, will only be relevant to England. The Welsh Assembly Government does not have any current plans to withdraw the official grading scheme operated by Visit Wales.

The Visit Wales Quality Assurance Scheme has more than 6500 participants. Internet sites such as Trip Advisor are powerful tools for potential customers who are actively looking for a holiday to research their plans. We’ve held discussions with the industry on the possible role that social media and user generated content can play as part of a visitor's decision making process. We will shortly be providing an "opt in" link to Trip Advisor for businesses in order to facilitate this choice. 

My thoughts?  

I don't think people really care whether the hotel they stay in is three stars, four diamonds, or loads of AAA's.  What does matter is that it's clean and well run.  Each participant in the Visit Wales Quality Assurance scheme pays over £100 to be graded.  I'm not so sure Visit Wales would be so in favor of the grading system if fees were not involved.  I think the same social media that can over throw a government should be able to influence one.

Your thoughts?