AA launches Covid Confident Accreditation scheme
AA Launches COVID CONFIDENT Scheme to Support Hospitality Sector
· New COVID CONFIDENT accreditation open to hotels, restaurants, pubs, B&Bs, CAMPSITES, self-catering accommodation, golf courses and beyond as they prepare to reopen
· Free to all hospitality establishments, applicants are encouraged to make a donation to Hospitality Action
· 19 industry bodies back AA scheme, including Master Innholders, HOSPA, Institute of Hospitality, B&B Association, Glamping Association and the Tourism Alliance
The AA has today announced that it is launching a new COVID CONFIDENT assessment scheme to support the hospitality industry in re-establishing and rebuilding consumer confidence as the UK prepares to come out of lockdown, with each nation working towards a reopening date, the first being England on 4th July.
The AA COVID CONFIDENT accreditation will indicate to customers that an establishment has in place the necessary risk assessments, safety measures and staff training, in line with the Government and UKHospitality’s published guidelines, to reopen safely when permitted to do so by the Government. The scheme has already been backed by 19 industry bodies including: Master Inn holders, HOSPA, Institute of Hospitality, B&B Association, Glamping Association, PASC, ASSC and the Tourism Alliance.
The AA COVID CONFIDENT scheme is open to all hospitality establishments that pass the AA’s stringent criteria, including: hotels; restaurants; pubs; B&Bs and guest accommodation; camping, glamping and holiday parks; self-catering accommodation; hostels; serviced apartments; attractions; and golf courses.
To be eligible for the AA COVID CONFIDENT scheme, establishments can apply HERE and must meet the AA’s criteria, including:
· Supplying a risk assessment
· Being able to provide clear evidence that relevant procedures and measures are in place, and that staff training has taken place
· Completion of an online self-assessment and sign up to the COVID Confident Charter, a code of conduct that will include a commitment to continuing to update procedures and measures as guidelines change, and to submitting to future audits as required.
The AA will be providing all those awarded a COVID CONFIDENT mark with regular updates on the latest Government guidelines, Health & Safety Executive Guidelines, and best practice.
Establishments with an AA COVID CONFIDENT mark will be listed on the AA’s consumer facing RatedTrips.com website, making accredited businesses easy for customers to find.
Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Media, commented: “COVID-19 has had a profound impact upon all those working in the hospitality sector. At the AA we are committed to supporting our colleagues across the industry as we work together to rebuild consumer confidence. We believe that many members of the public will be looking to enjoy days out, short breaks, eating out and other experiences as lockdown eases, but that confidence in the sector is vital. We hope that the COVID CONFIDENT scheme will be a valuable stepping stone for establishments to restore consumer confidence as lockdown eases.”
Rob Farrow, Chairman of The Glamping Association: “The Glamping Association has always believed that the key to guest confidence is accommodation providers knowing and ensuring they meet their legal and regulatory responsibilities. The AA COVID CONFIDENT scheme is now an essential part of the mix.”