The quality of accommodation in Blackpool is set to improve significantly with the introduction of an Inspected Only policy from…
The quality of accommodation in Blackpool is set to improve significantly with the introduction of an Inspected Only policy from 2003.
Under this scheme, only hotels or B&Bs that have been assessed by the English Tourism Council (
Commenting on this move taken by Blackpool Tourism, ETC`s head of quality, David Stanbridge said: `At the moment the quality of accommodation in Blackpool is very variable. Although the town has some really good places to stay, at the other end of the spectrum there are a number of pretty poor establishments that are helping to give the resort a bad name.`
He continued: `By encouraging all hotels and B&Bs to be rated Blackpool`s reputation will improve and visitors to the resort can then be sure that wherever they stay meets their expectations. The fact that so few hotels and B&Bs in Blackpool are currently rated, gives the impression that the resort`s accommodation is of poor quality.`
David Stanbridge added: `In resorts where an Inspected Only policy has been adopted the quality of accommodation has quickly improved and Scarborough is a good example of this.`
Since Scarborough Borough Council introduced an Inspected Only policy, the number of accommodation businesses that are now assessed by the ETC, AA or RAC has doubled.
Jane Seddon from Blackpool Tourism said: `Blackpool recognises the importance of a quality visitor experience. Ensuring that all accommodation in Blackpool meets national standards is paramount to providing this experience. Visitors must be able to choose accommodation that has a recognised standard of quality and by adopting an Inspected Only policy we are confident that we can achieve this.`
Hotels and B&Bs in Blackpool who opt to be rated over the next six months by the ETC, AA or RAC or through HOAST will be eligible for a range of incentives. These include free advisory visits, reduced assessment fees and the waiving of the joining fee. The cost of an ETC assessment for a hotel with around forty bedrooms is in the region of £400 and for a B&B with 6 bedrooms it is in the region of £165. For those hotels and B&Bs who are members of their Regional Tourist Board they receive a 25% reduction on the assessment fee.
The first guide to Blackpool to contain only Star rated hotels, Diamond rated B&Bs or accommodation inspected under Blackpool`s HOAST scheme is the 2003 Holiday Guide, to be published in December 2002. The ETC, AA and RAC all use the same 1-5 Star ratings to assess hotels and 1-5 Diamond ratings to assess B&Bs.
Blackpool has over 2,500 hotels and B&Bs of which 370 are currently assessed or in the process of being assessed by the ETC, the AA or RAC or under Blackpool`s HOAST scheme.
Each year Blackpool receives 8 million overnight visits, which make a significant contribution to the local economy. Tourism earns £545 million for the resort each year.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
