Last year, GSA acquired ISAAP, and the addition of security accreditation is a natural extension of the company’s portfolio of certifications and accreditations in light of the GSA partnership.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – International Serviced Accommodation Accreditation Process (ISAAP), part of GSA Limited, announced its Security Accreditation scheme for serviced accommodation and corporate housing. The scheme is audited by UK Government regulated awarding organisation SFJ Awards.
Stephen Martin, Managing Director of ISAAP comments: “Following increased focus from corporates on the importance of the security of corporate accommodation, we’ve been looking at extending our accreditation of serviced accommodation to include this important area of focus. ISAAP’s acquisition by GSA last year has provided us with the expertise to deliver three different types of serviced accommodation security accreditation, audited by SFJ Awards.”
A new standard for all serviced accommodation
The new security accreditation from ISAAP covers all serviced accommodation – from a single apartment in a shared building to entire blocks of accommodation, enabling providers large and small to demonstrate their commitment to high levels of security.
The accreditation will be across three different types of serviced accommodation:
- Single or multiple apartments in a mixed building – including serviced accommodation owned by different providers or privately owned apartments
- Providers that operate an entire block, normally unstaffed
- Providers that operate an entire block, such as an Aparthotel
SFJ Awards is a UK regulated international awarding organisation that provides qualifications and accreditation programmes for individuals and organisations within the UK and internationally. SFJ Awards’ accreditation programmes and qualifications have been used extensively across the globe. It has also delivered accreditation programmes internationally with organisations in China, India, Pakistan, and across the Middle East, Africa, South America, and Europe.
Adding security to ISAAP’s accreditation programme
The addition of security accreditation to ISAAP’s portfolio of services is an important milestone for the company. ISAAP offers industry-recognised accreditation and certification options to providers and agents of serviced accommodation and corporate housing providers, distinct from other hospitality accreditation schemes. Options range from full quality and safety assessment visits carried out by professional, independent ISAAP Quality Assessment Consultants to remote procedures whereby the essential verification documentation and evidential information is validated. ISAAP already offers accreditation and certification in key areas such as comfort and quality as well as compliance.
Last year, GSA acquired ISAAP, and the addition of security accreditation is a natural extension of the company’s portfolio of certifications and accreditations in light of the GSA partnership. GSA’s established relationship with SFJ Awards helped facilitate the independent auditing by the standards body.
Stephen Martin continues: “This new service enables serviced accommodation providers to demonstrate the same high levels of security focus as hotels that have been accredited through GSA’s accreditation schemes. This will allow serviced accommodation providers, large and small, to demonstrate their compliance to the highest security standards.”
ISO 31030 is coming
The roll out of the new ISO 31030 global standard for travel risk management has thrown a fresh focus on accommodation security. Businesses have a duty of care to travelling employees, which has now been codified through this standard and those tasked with travel risk management in corporates are increasingly looking to implement the standard, demonstrating high levels of care to travelling employees. This becomes even more important as global business travel reopens post COVID-19.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
