MGTO again promotes “Quality Tourism Services Accreditation Scheme” open for applications in March

Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) held a promotion seminar on 2 February to promote the "Quality Tourism Services Accreditation Scheme" (QTSAS) and invite local trade to join the Scheme in 2015. This year the Office again targets the catering industry and encourages more restaurants to join and strive for an improvement in their service quality. The scheme is open for applications starting on 2 March 2015.

MGTO launched the QTSAS last year, aiming not only to establish service quality standards for the tourism industry but also to encourage and support industry partners to improve their service quality. The scheme’s objective is also to acclaim tourism businesses for their remarkable service management and outstanding services provided to customers. The scheme includes two accolades namely "Star Merchant Award" and "Service Star Award".

The Office held the QTSAS promotion seminar at Tourism Activities Centre on 2 February to elaborate the assessment criteria and application procedures for local trade. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; President of the Institute for Tourism Studies, Fanny Vong; MGTO Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong; Head of Department of Environment, Hygiene and Licensing of Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Fong Vai Seng; Head of Consumer Arbitration Centre of Consumer Council, Ao Weng Tong; President of Macau Hotel Association, Samuel Yeung Chun Yip; President of the United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macau, Chan Chak Mo; and President of the Association of Macau Small and Medium Enterprises of Catering, Ieong Weng Seng were present at the promotion seminar. General Manager, Market Research Business of Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency, K T Ting was invited to give an introduction about QTSAS’s assessment criteria during the seminar. Representatives of the four catering businesses awarded the "Service Star Award" last year were also invited to share their experience.

During her speech, Director Senna Fernandes expressed that MGTO has been striving to foster the quality improvement of local tourism services and to enhance industry training and supervision as part of their major objectives this year. Encouraging local trade to join the Scheme in 2015, she believes that Macau tourism and related sectors will keep improving their service quality to provide impressive services for visitors and local citizens. In consequence, they can together enhance Macau’s image as a fascinating travel destination in line with Macau’s positioning as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong also shared with industry partners the application methods and benefits of joining the Scheme.

MGTO again opens up the QTSAS for local catering industry to join this year. According to the classification of license, there are four categories namely "Deluxe Restaurant", "First Class Restaurant", "Second Class Restaurant" and "Food and Beverage Establishments". The awards are valid from 2016 until 2018. Any licensed restaurant or catering establishment which has operated its business in Macau for one year or above is eligible for participation. The Office will accept 100 applications in total. Merchants who are interested in participation can submit applications to MGTO during 2 – 31 March. For details, please browse MGTO’s website: http://industry.macautourism.gov.mo. Merchants who applied last year but were not drawn by lot or did not pass the assessment are given priority to join the Scheme upon application this year.

Merchants who participate in the Scheme are required to go through a range of assessments in terms of service performance and management system. Merchants who fulfill the criteria will be awarded the "Star Merchant Award", while the merchant who wins the highest score among other winners of "Star Merchant Award" under the same category will be presented the "Service Star Award" as well. Through joining the Scheme, merchants can also make a self-assessment of their own service according to the assessment criteria and apply the scheme’s operation guideline in their business to keep improving their service.

A total of 86 qualified catering businesses were given the "Star Merchant Award" last year. Details about the awarded merchants are listed in the "Star Merchant Award" – Restaurants and Eateries Guide. The public can obtain the printed guide from MGTO’s Tourist Information counters or download its electronic version from MGTO’s website.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia