Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance Program Development – We need your input!
Today’s travellers are increasingly savvy and experienced. Opportunities for low-cost flights all over the world mean that tourism businesses in Saskatchewan are competing on a global scale. The service, amenities, and facilities that each property offers are often compared to similar businesses worldwide. Websites like TripAdvisor and Expedia provide additional venues for travellers to share their positive and negative feedback quickly to readers from around the globe.
Quality Assurance Programs (QAP) assist with the monitoring and evaluation of various aspects of a project, service, or facility to ensure that standards are being met. Most provinces in Canada have a provincial QAP in place, except Saskatchewan. But that is about to change. To fill this gap, Tourism Saskatchewan is in the initial stages of creating a QAP for the tourism sector.
Tourism Saskatchewan provides information about attractions, events, facilities, accommodations, and more to thousands of travellers and potential visitors each month through its website, travel guides, and one-on-one travel counselling. The information shared with visitors is provided by each business operator, and, for the most part, that information is correct and accurately reflects the experience the visitor will have during their visit. However, there are some instances when there is a disconnect between what the visitor encounters and their expectations. The QAP will assist in addressing this.
The President’s Quality Assurance Task Team is overseeing the program’s development. This team is representative of the sector and includes large and small business operators from rural and urban areas. Their vision, commitment, and encouragement have been the motivation behind the program. The Task Team has guided the creation of a three-year work plan that is in the final stages of development. The work plan will ensure that Saskatchewan has an industry-developed QAP in place by September 2012.
Over the coming months, Fast Consulting will be contacting members and stakeholders with the opportunity to participate in focus groups. As well, an online survey will be sent to our entire database to ensure all businesses have the chance to provide feedback. This input is extremely important and will help to shape the program.
Once that feedback has been reviewed, Industry Validation Committees will be created to prepare criteria and benchmarks for the program. This will be another opportunity to provide meaningful input and perspective into the process.
As the program takes shape, regular updates will be provided via Industry Matters, Industry Updates, and Going Places. If you have any questions, contact Tracy Breher, Director of Industry Relations, at 933-5918 or tracy.breher@sasktourism.com.
Quality Assurance Program Updates, Going Places Summer 2011
Quality Assurance Program Update, Going Places Winter 2011 
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