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Qualmark® - Quality Assured

For quality holiday experiences, look for the Qualmark® - New Zealand's official mark of quality within the tourism industry. Please scroll down for a full list of Rotorua accommodation, visitor activities, transport operators and retailers that are Qualmark accredited.

Qualmark New Zealand Limited is New Zealand tourism's official quality agency. A joint venture between the government - Tourism New Zealand – and a private sector partner – the New Zealand Automobile Association - Qualmark® licenses professional and trustworthy New Zealand tourism businesses to use the Qualmark® .

This official quality benchmarking system is designed to assist international and domestic travellers to select quality assured places to stay, things to do and ways to get around. In doing this Qualmark® aims to enhance New Zealand's reputation as a world-class visitor destination.

All accommodation, transport, activities and attractions that display Qualmark® have been independently assessed as professional and trustworthy, so visitors can book and buy with confidence.

A significant proportion of Rotorua operators are Qualmark® assured businesses.

The Qualmark® quality assurance system has a star grading system for accommodation and an endorsement system for other tourism businesses such as adventure activities, attractions, cultural and nature experiences, coaches, and rental cars.

Holders have undergone a rigorous assessment and licensing process to become part of the Qualmark® licensing system. They meet essential requirements of cleanliness, safety, security and comfort as accommodation options; and quality standards in safety, facilities, equipment and customer service as activity, service and transport options. You can count on them to deliver a quality experience.

The following information is sourced from newzealand.com

1. Star grading:

The grading system is broken into 10 categories each with its own criteria. These include:

	Apartments Includes holiday apartments, business apartments and long stay apartments.

	Backpackers Includes budget "shared" accommodation in a hostel, lodge or 'hotels'

	Guest and Hosted Incorporates bed & breakfasts, farm and home stays, guesthouses, boutique lodges, inns, country hotels and similar establishments providing "home-like" or "character" accommodation.

	Holiday Home Includes serviced holiday cottages to luxurious lodges.

	Holiday Park Includes camping grounds and motor camps. All properties provide communal kitchens, toilets, showers and laundries.

	Hotel Includes properties with at least one licensed bar and restaurant, on the premises or adjacent, with charge back facilities.

	Motel Includes motels, motor lodges, motor inss, and motel apartments.

	Student Accommodation Includes tertiary-level student accommodation provided by universities, polytechnics and other alternative tertiary education providers.

	Venues Includes free standing convention centres, event centres, performing arts venues, sports stadiums, municipal halls, indoor arenas and other entertainment or meeting venues.

Exclusive

The Exclusive category is for luxury accommodation and does not have a star grade. Exclusive properties must first achieve a five star grade with a 95% or better score within the assessment criteria. They then must meet additional requirements.

This category includes intimate, exclusive and highly individual establishments that offer the finest of locations, facilities, activities and service. They range from destination retreats offering golf, fishing, food and wine or wilderness adventures, to stylish hotels and secluded beach or river front villas.

They are escapes from the norm, with incomparable locations, admirably discreet staff, faultless service and outstanding activities and excursions. There are only a small number of properties that are eligible for this 'best of the best' category.

2. Endorsement

Qualmark endorsement is applied across five categories:

	Transport From rental car companies to limousine hire, taxis, ferries, airport shuttles and coaches, if you want your clients to get from A to B, then check out the Qualmark range of visitor transport operators so you can book and buy with confidence.

	Activities Whether your clients want to have an adventure, get to know the real New Zealand, or simply relax and look around, you'll find some of New Zealand's best tourism experiences are Qualmark endorsed visitor activities. Visitor activities include charter boats, sea kayaks, horse treks, flightseeing, leading attractions, museums, cultural experiences, wine tours and many more.

	Visitor services All Qualmark endorsed visitor services have been assessed as trustworthy and professional - your client's guarantee of a successful visitor experience. Visitor Services includes many gift shops throughout New Zealand, including those which deal in genuine, authentic New Zealand made product.

	Visitor information centres Qualmark endorsed visitor information centres have met our tough quality standards - ensuring bookings and information provided meets visitor needs, expectations and budget.

	Tour operators Look for this Qualmark logo for assurance that a tour operator measures up to the standards required by New Zealand tourism's official quality mark.
The endorsement logo identifies a tourism business has met or exceeded accepted tourism industry quality standards and does not incorporate a star grading Qualmark endorsed businesses identify professional and trustworthy experiences.

3. 'Enviro' Awards

All Qualmark businesses are measured for responsible tourism practices.Those businesses wanting to be specifically recognised for their sustainable tourism practices may be further assessed through the Qualmark Enviro Award. Businesses are awarded for meeting strict environmental and social criteria, with achievement levels of Gold, Silver and Bronze.