Tourism accreditation scheme steering committee members Janice Mellor, Greg Stanaway, Liana Scott, inspector Kate Payne, and Steve Lyon.

A New Zealand tourism accreditation inspector reports she is impressed with the standard of accommodation in Rarotonga, after checking 25 properties over a week.Kate Payne inspected the properties in the first of four accreditation checks this year.

The Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council and the Tourism Corporation signed an agreement last October to revive a nationwide accreditation scheme that gives accommodation providers a means to prove to tourists their businesses meet agreed-upon standards.
Payne produced a series of reports which she presented to the accreditation steering committee on Friday afternoon.
She was guided by a three page checklist the committee put together. This included looking at recycling and sewerage systems, energy and water conservation and how it is communicated to guests, fire safety and emergency procedures, cleanliness of rooms and grounds, security measures, and safety around pools.

Payne said “everyone did fine” although some accommodators will need to do more work before being completely up to scratch. They will be revisited in the next inspection to make sure they have complied. “This gives the scheme some teeth – it’s not just a tick in the box,” she said.
Payne was hired to do the accreditation check by Oceania Tourism Ltd, a NZ consultancy company working with the accreditation committee. She is a senior hospitality lecturer at Auckland University of Technology, and has worked in the tourism sector for years.
“You have to have worked in the industry to be an accreditation inspector,” said Payne. She has managed budget right through to luxury properties and “knows what it takes”.

The property owners inspected were receptive to the inspections, said Payne. “Everyone was very positive about it. Some need a little support to comply, but Rarotonga is a grown-up destination now and it’s important the safety measures are there.”
This was her first time to the Cooks and she really enjoyed her time here, finding the country very clean. “All properties were immaculate, with extensive planting – just stunning. There were quality furnishings, simple but beautiful.”

The next step is for Rarotongan businesses involved in beauty, spa and weddings, transport, and retail to get the chance to become accredited. The accreditation programme also soon to be rolled out in Aitutaki, with an industry meeting held there last night.
Some of the benefits of accreditation include being featured on the Tourism Corporation website and in its promotional material, gaining permission to use the accreditation logo and brand, becoming eligible for industry council membership and the Tourism Awards, reaping the benefits of government-sponsored training and seminars, and being able to participate in agent and journalist famils and programmes.

•    Calida Smylie - Cook Island News