With fewer than 500 days to go until the 2010 FIFA World CupTM, the Welcome Awards that recognise service excellence in the tourism industry have drawn nearly double the number of entries as compared to last year.
South African Tourism has received almost twice as many entries to date for the Welcome Awards. Last year’s entry toll was 499. To date, more than 973 entries have been received for the 2009 Awards.
Says Hanneli Slabber, Global Manager: Product at South African Tourism: „This really is a great result as tourism comes under the spotlight in the lead up to the FIFA Confederation Cup in June this year and the 2010 FIFA World Cup next year. Service excellence is of paramount importance as we welcome visitors to our shores.
„The quantum jump in entries shows that the industry is taking this to heart and that it wants to be recognised for delivering on service excellence. It is vital for the continued success of our tourism industry that we bench mark our service standards against world service standards.“
The Awards, backed by South African Tourism and supported by First National Bank, aim to identify tourism-related businesses that raise the standard of customer service, showcase the best of the best in the industry, enhance word of mouth and the visitor experience.
This year entries grew by a significant 67 percent in the accommodation category. Increase in entries this year can also, says Slabber, be linked to new categories introduced this year. These categories include restaurants, parks, meetings, exhibitions and special events (MESE) and travel agencies.
The entry process this year was also streamlined and this, no doubt, made it easier for people to enter the Awards and also contributed to more entries this year. The website has been re-engineered to make it as user-friendly as possible, for example, and the site gives enhanced information about each of the Award categories.
Says Pieter de Bruin, Head of Tourism Division, for FNB Commercial Banking: „This is a fantastic response from the tourism sector in terms of entries to the Welcome Awards. We are fully committed to driving service excellence in the country, and we are very pleased with the support we have received from the industry.
„We want a range of diverse experiences and great hospitality to make a good impression on visitors to South Africa. The Welcome Awards encourage the tourism industry to show that service excellence really is everyone’s responsibility. It’s of vital importance for the industry and for the economy that people fall in love with South Africa… and want to come back for more after they have left.“
The next steps in the Welcome Awards will include short listing, formal pre-announced judging and the selection of semi-finalists. A mystery visit programme will then take place before selecting the finalists.
The Awards ceremony will take place during Indaba at the Chief Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on 11 May 2009 in Durban.