The South African Tourism Grading Council
What is the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa?
The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) is the officially recognized assurance body for tourism products in South Africa.
The Tourism Grading Council's vision is to implement a globally bench marked system of quality assurance for accommodation and MESE (Meeting Exhibitions and Special Events) experiences, which can be relied upon by visitors when making their choice of establishment.
In short, the Tourism Grading Council ensures that the establishments you visit adhere to their standards and offer excellent client service.
Graded establishments are allowed to use the South African Tourism Grading Council logo.
Types of Tourism Grading Council Establishments
The Tourism Grading Council has defined the following types of establishments:
- Formal Service Accommodation(Hotels, Lodges)
A hotel provides formal accommodation to travellers, and has a reception area, dining facility, and minimum of 6 rooms.
A lodge provides formal accommodation, and is located in natural surroundings beyond that of the immediate garden area
- Guest Accommodation (Bed and Breakfast (B&B), Country House, Guest House)
A country house is either an existing home, or a renovated home of building, that has been specifically designed to provide overnight accommodation. A country house is situated in natural, peaceful surroundings and provides public areas for the exclusive use of the guests.
- Self Catering accommodation
A Self Catering establishment is your home away from home. Usually providing guests single-occupancy units consisting of one or more bedrooms, a Self Catering establishment also has a dining area with cooking facilities. Examples of Self Catering accommodation includes apartments, holiday units, houses, cottages, chalets, villas and cabins.
- Backpackers and Hostels
A backpacker and/or hostel accommodation is a facility that provides communal facilities, including dormitories and alternative sleeping arrangements.
- Caravan and Camping
A caravan and camping park is a facility that provides ablution and toilet facilities, as well as space for guests to provide for their own accommodation, such as tents, motor homes and/or caravans
- Meetings, Exhibitions and Special Events venues (MESE)
A Meeting Venue is a specialized facility designed to meet the demands of groups of people convening for the purpose of a meeting or function.
An Exhibition Venue is a facility specifically built/adapted for the purpose of accommodation special events or exhibitions.
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