AC Baths makes a splash with Qualmark rating
Friday 26 February 2010, 9:59AM
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AC Baths has just earned New Zealand Tourism’s official mark of quality, the Qualmark, reconfirming the pool complex as one of New Zealand’s leading tourism offerings.
The Qualmark is a mark of excellence that tourism providers in New Zealand can apply for. Gaining a license to use the Qualmark gives the assurance of quality service to both domestic and internationals visitors.
AC Baths Manager Virginia Munro says the Qualmark validates their staff's efforts in professionalism and business practices. “To have passed measures in health & safety systems, front and back of house business practices, environmental and overall business operations is reassuring while we work towards our vision of sustainable tourism.”
AC Baths offers an indoor/outdoor heated leisure pool, an indoor and an outdoor 25m lap pool, a learn to swim pool, hydroslides, private spas, and a sauna and steam room, as well as an onsite café and BBQ facilities.
AC Baths staff were overjoyed with the Qualmark accreditation. “Our staff have exceeded our expectations in customer care and services and we are extremely proud of our whole team,” said Ms Munro. “We scored 80 out of 100, which is regarded high for a first time application.”
TK/MP Committee Chairman Cr Kathryn Uvhagen congratulated the A.C. Baths team on the well-deserved achievement. “Meeting the Qualmark standard clearly establishes the AC Baths as a world-class visitor destination that offers the highest quality services.”
To gain their Qualmark AC Baths underwent rigorous onsite assessments using criteria made up of over 400 quality checks. The assessment criteria, which have been developed with the tourism industry and based on research into what travellers want, looks at areas such as cleanliness, safety, facilities, customer service, business operations and more.
Qualmark is a joint venture of Tourism New Zealand and New Zealand Automobile Association and is backed by the New Zealand Tourism Industry Association and other leading industry organisations. It is the way the industry directs travelers to quality assured products and services.
“This has been a fantastic opportunity which we will follow up with applying for an Environ Green rating which works alongside Qualmark for Responsible Tourism, and looks at the areas of energy efficiency, waste management, water conservation, community activities and conservation initiatives,” says Ms Munro.