1.
A Harmonized Accommodation Grading
System that Reduces CO2 Emissions
Across Southern Africa

2. A Harmonized Accommodation
Grading System that Reduces CO2
Emissions Across Southern Africa
James MacGregor, President, ecoplan:net sarl,
Abstract
The development of a comprehensive harmonized accommodation grading
system will be implemented by the 15 nations of RETOSA (Regional Tourism
Organization of Southern Africa] by 2015. In 2011 a Framework Document
including a 4-year action plan from 2011 to 2015 was prepared. This was
followed by preparation of approximately 1,850 standards for six basic
categories of accommodation.
The program is possibly the most comprehensive set of standards ever
developed because it also integrates 60 responsible tourism and 40
universal accessibility standards with the 200 quality assurance
standards. This will provide southern Africa member states with a grading
system that reflects the highest level of environmental and social
responsibility while also providing facilities that are accessible to the disabled.
Furthermore the standards reflect the most rigorous international level
standards and will be mandatory when the program is launched. The
responsible Tourism standards are designed to produce a 20% reduction in
CO2 which will reduce emissions by approximately 1 billion kg./year by 2016
Funding
1. Preparation of Framework Document: Commonwealth Secretariat
(London): Ms.Chanda Chellah, Advisor (Trade)
2. Preparation of Harmonized Accommodation Grading Standards:
RETOSA (Regional Tourism Organization of Southern Africa), Johannesburg
Overall Project Management:
RETOSA, Mr. Simba Mandinyenya, Planning and Development Director
Project Consultant and Author:
James MacGregor, President, ecoplan:net sarl
This paper was first presented at the International Institute of
Peace through Tourism Conference in Lusaka, Zambia in
2011. It will be reprinted in the UNWTO Publication on
‘Tourism and Climate Change’ for publication in early 2012.
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3. 1. Overview
Despite continued market demand In 2010, RETOSA (Regional
for recognized and credible Tourism Organization of Southern
international tourist accommodation Africa) recognized the importance
grading systems, there continues to of accommodation grading systems
be substantial confusion about the and decided to create a completely
merits of the various available harmonized system across the 15
systems. Furthermore, in many countries in southern Africa, and
cases there is an obvious including Mauritius and Seychelles.
inconsistency from one national The overall goal of this ambitious
system to another. A three-star project was to established rigorous
rating in one country may not and comprehensive international
reflect the same classification in level grading standards in concert
another. As well, with an annual with credible and coordinated
increase in online bookings, the grading scheme within each
travel consumers, more than ever, member nation.
require a recognized
accommodation grading system 2. The Processes of
that is reliable. Despite the
increased use of user generated building the harmonized
content on the Internet grading scheme
(TripAdvisor, Priceline.com, etc.]
the time-tested star rating system The preparation of the harmonized
still has substantial value and, for accommodation grading scheme
many travellers, is more important was developed over four phases
than ever in their decision-making including;
Phase 1: the preparation of a
framework for the scheme,
incorporating the identification of
major issues and the resulting
recommendations;
Phase 2: the preparation of the
individual standards;
Phase 3: the integration of the
various member nation grading
systems into one harmonized
grading scheme; and
Phase 4: the launch of the overall
program 2015.
This article will address Phase 1
and Phase 2.
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4. 2.1 Phase 1; 5. Identify a feedback mechanism
structure to ensure the continual
The preparation of a improvement of the scheme;
framework document 6. Integrate responsible tourism
and universal accessibility
The Framework document was standards with quality
launched with an October 2010 assurance standards;
workshop where representatives 7. Identify funding sources to
from the 15 member states develop the program.
gathered in Johannesburg to
present the status of their individual The Commonwealth Secretariat
national schemes as well as funded the preparation of the
identify the major issues associated framework document.
with establishing a harmonized
program across the region. Following an international
competition, James MacGregor
They included the need for from the firm ecoplan:net was hired
recommendations to: to undertake the research and
prepare the required Framework.
1. Select either a voluntary or As a first step in the preparation of
mandatory harmonized grading the Framework, the consultant
scheme; visited a number of member states
2. Identify the needs for auditors including Tanzania, Zambia, South
and supporting auditor/assessor Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique
training; and Mauritius. This enabled a
3. Create an overall management better understanding of the status
structure that would enable of national grading schemes as
RETOSA to develop and well as the obstacles to developing
administer the system; both the national and regional
4. Identify marketing channels and standards scheme.
mechanisms to promote the
system to consumers and travel
trade;

5. The status of the national schemes ministries of tourism and national
varied widely; from South Africa, tourism authorities; national and
Botswana and Namibia which have regional tourism and
mature and well developed accommodation associations;
systems, to Tanzania which is NGO’s and individual
integrating its proposed scheme accommodation providers.
into that of the East African Collectively these various
Community; to Swaziland which is stakeholders can offer a substantial
in the early stages of development. contribution to the preparation of
the harmonized accommodation
The country visits as well as grading scheme.
reviews of other international
systems provided the basis for a D] The overall marketing and
“Recommendations Report” that promotion of the harmonized
offered a preliminary response and program will be the responsibility of
a direction to the above-mentioned RETOSA however, it will require
issues. These recommendations substantial support from individual
were subsequently submitted at a member countries as well as their
2-day RETOSA Technical associated accommodation
Committee Workshop in June associations and providers.
2011. A brief summary of the
results of the discussions included: E] A feedback mechanism will be
set up to enable the consumer and
A] There was overwhelming the travel trade [foreign and
support for the development of a receptive tour operators and
mandatory, rather than wholesalers] to evaluate the
voluntary, harmonized systems property within the context of the
across the member nations. There prescribed rating. Feedback will be
is currently a 50/50 split and a 3 provided at the ministry/tourism
phase process was proposed to authority, tourism accommodation
have all systems mandatory by association, and accommodation
2015. provider level.
B) Lack of qualified auditors is The results will be consolidated by
one of the more serious issues RETOSA and contribute to the on-
facing individual member nation going upgrading of the
grading systems. This will be accommodation standards.
addressed during the
implementation of the program with F] Social and environmentally
the design and delivery of auditor responsible standards, including
training programs throughout the fair trade practices, as well as
region. universal accessibility standards
will be integrated into the national
C] RETOSA will be the and regional harmonized
organization tasked with accommodation grading program.
coordinating the integration of Furthermore they will be given
various national grading substantial influence in determining
systems into one harmonized the overall rating of each property.
grading program. However it well
require the complete support from
all other stakeholders including:
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6. With upwards of 20% to 25% of The standards would be integrated
source markets having residents into the overall system making it
with disabilities it is now considered one of the first in the world to be
mandatory to have at least basic comprehensive and inclusive.
Universal Accessibility standards in
place.
The RETOSA Accommodation Rating
Harmonizing Framework Diagram
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7. G] Funding will come from tourism attraction. Usually full-
several different sources. For service and include a variety of
instance project support would be recreation activities.
from donors for activities such as
training workshops and the 3. Self-catering Apartments -
preparation of technical manuals, including the required amenities
development of marketing strategy for meal preparation but also
and communication plans, etc. including housekeeping
Project based funding could also services.
be used to both promote the
scheme to the regional and 4. Nature lodges - full service
international markets as well accommodation facility located
enhance communication between within or adjacent to natural
member nations. areas. Sub categories could
include game or safari lodge,
Following a complete review by the ecolodge, game reserves.
technical committee the consultant
prepared the final Framework 5. Guesthouses - a facility that
Document, which was presented to offers more limited lodging
the representatives of the member services but includes a common
nations in early September, 2011. area shared by guests and host
The presentation also included an and may or may not include
outline of the action plan and cost housekeeping services
estimates required to launch the Breakfast provided.
program by early 2015. Activities
were outlined on a quarter by 6. Campgrounds - An area with
quarter basis from late 2011 campsites or pads designed for
through to the middle of 2015. mobile accommodation (motor
home, caravan) and/or tents
2.2 Phase 2: The providing essential facilities
Preparation of the and services and select
Grading Standards. recreational activities.
Ecoplan:net was also hired, by A number of well-known and
respected accommodation grading
RETOSA, to prepare the individual
standards for six selected systems at the international level
were also analysed and
categories. These categories
consequently provided some
included;
direction for the harmonization
1. Urban hotels - those located in scheme. They included, in part, the
urban or near urban locations Qualmark system from New
with particular services for the Zealand, the AA rating system in
business traveller. Typically full the UK, the new French hotel rating
service. scheme, as well as select
standards from the Brazil, Irish and
2. Resorts + Vacation hotel - Scottish programs.
typically located within a tourism
destination and adjacent to a At the regional level South Africa,
Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia
feature of interest such as
lakes, beaches, rivers or provided an excellent source of
standards. Finally the East Africa
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8. Community (ECA) standards were tourism and the 40 universal
considered as an important source, accessibility standards for each
particularly with the possibility of category of accommodation. As
integrating East Africa standards well these standards represent
with the Southern African in, say, approximately 30% of the total
2016. number of standards so their
impact is significant. Several newer
2.2.1 The integration of grading systems, developed within
responsible tourism and the past few years, have added a
few environmental standards but
universal accessibility they have relatively little influence
standards with the on the final rating of the property.
quality assurance The responsible tourism standards,
within this RETOSA harmonized
standards. system, will however be specific
and comprehensive. As well the
The complete incorporation of
universal accessibility standards
responsible tourism and universal
refer to actual dimensions and
accessibility standards with quality
spatial requirements that need to
assurance represents one of the
be respected to achieve a grade.
first efforts, world-wide, to combine
a comprehensive set of standards This program identifies more than
that embraces the entire 1,850 standards across the six
accommodation product. Several accommodation categories.
countries have an independent
ecotourism, sustainability, or green Collectively they will ensure a
certification program, however substantially level protection for the
these environmental programs are local environment, greater
typically separate from the basic integration of the facility into the
accommodation rating system. community, and assured access to
many more individuals with
Of significance is the integration of disabilities.
approximately 60 responsible
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9. 2.2.2 Reducing carbon UNWTO proposals to reduce
accommodation related Green
emissions across house gases by 30% in 2020.
southern Africa Furthermore the World Tourism
and Travel Council (WTTC)
The southern Africa tourist proposes a 50% reduction in
accommodation sector does not accommodation greenhouse gases
itself generate comparatively by 2035. The RETOSA projections,
significant levels of CO2. therefore, seem to be realistic and
Nevertheless a concentrated effort in keeping with other international
across the approximately 20,000 agencies.
properties [by 2015] can still make
a meaningful contribution to By using the average daily CO2
reducing CO2. Few production figures from the World
accommodation grading systems Resource Institute it is possible to
take this issue into account. calculate the decrease in
However when designing the emissions. It appears that these
system within the context of standards, particularly because
growing concern for climate change they are mandatory, would have
it is possible to integrate particular the significant effect of reducing
standards that will contribute emissions from the accommodation
directly to reducing accommodation sector. It is estimated that CO2
related CO2. The responsible emissions will be reduced by
tourism standards, in particular, approximately 1 billion kg of CO2
have been specifically designed to per year across southern Africa by
reduce carbon emissions. In fact 2016.
the scheme should result in an
overall reduction of CO2 by
approximately 20% by 2015. This
would seem to be in keeping with
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10. • Carbon emission standards • The introduction of short
duration local tours using
Furthermore implementing the bicycles and low-impact water
standards would not necessarily be transport. These trips also
onerous on the operations of even encourage an extended length
the smaller facilities such as of stay thus requiring less
guesthouses and self-catering travel.
apartments. In most cases the • Preparation of manuals that
standards will actually result in demonstrate to employees and
reduction of the overall operational the adjacent communities the
costs. Specific standards that have various techniques for reducing
been identified to reduce CO2 greenhouse gases [GHG]
include; • Annual audits to identify how
• Generating at least 50% of targets can be met with respect
energy from alternative sources to local purchasing, reduced
in 4 and 5 star properties travel, improved energy
• Extensive use of energy saving conservation, etc.
appliances, compact • The regular use of reusable
fluorescence or LED lighting, rather than disposable materials
and the use of equipment such and equipment.
as solar ovens where applicable • Working with distributors and
such as in the lodge operations suppliers to ensure as much
• Substantial reduction in recycling as possible
transportation related fuel • Energy reduction through
consumption through local decreasing demand for hot
purchases. This is a significant water and preference for natural
consideration in southern Africa ventilation and ceiling fan over
where so many products used air conditioning
by the accommodation sector, Of coarse many of the currently
throughout the region, come accepted standards, such as a
from Johannesburg, usually by towel and linen re-use programs,
transport truck. room sensors and the use of
• Use of carbon credits for compact fluorescent light bulbs
administrative and marketing have been integrated the overall
related travel program.
• Energy and water conservation
education programs in local
communities
• Concerted visitor awareness
programs to encourage
reducing water and energy
requirements
• On-going climate change
related discussions with the
local communities to ensure the
residents are doing their best to
reduce CO2 emissions.
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11. 3. Benefits to the Other benefits that will contribute
substantially to the improvement of
Southern Africa tourism the Southern Africa
industry and the accommodation product and its
accommodation sector competitiveness include;
Since this harmonization scheme is • The new standards will
the first of its kind in the world, stimulate significant upgrades
when fully developed it should be across all accommodation
able to solicit substantial media categories. Facilities that wish
attention and exposure for to emulate international
Southern Africa. standards must make the effort
to ensure that, say, their four-
However the greater benefits will star property is equivalent to the
come from those long-haul travel same grade in the source
consumers who appreciate that the markets.
grading system is equivalent or • The development of the new
more rigorous than those systems harmonized system will include
found in Europe and North the delivery of training programs
America. This is particularly for auditors and grading
important to both the individual FIT officers. This information will
traveller as well as the tour then be distributed to the
operator since much of the travel to accommodation suppliers and
the region is multi-destination and will further contribute to product
typically includes visits to several upgrades and improvements
countries. The travel consumer • With a harmonized system in
wants to know that a three-star place, southern Africa will
property in one southern Africa become competitive with other
country is the equivalent to a three- multi nation regional
star property in another location. destinations where there may
be a lack of consistency in
The notion of a harmonized grading product quality across each
system that blankets all of these country.
nations reinforces the concept of
southern Africa as a unified • The pricing structure across the
destination. This is particularly
various nations will be more
important for the long-haul traveller credible. Despite slight area
who prefers an extended stay [10
conditions, the rates for a three-
days or more] and a visit to several
star guesthouse in one country
different countries.
should not be noticeably
different from those in another.
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12. 4. Conclusion
The Harmonization of About the Author
accommodation grading standards
across this multi-nation destination
region is an essential to position James is an internationally
Southern Africa in the international recognized sustainable tourism
marketplace. However the initiative consultant with more than 35 years
requires a major effort on behalf of of experience 22 countries
numerous stakeholders at both the including Africa and North Africa,
regional and national level, But South East Asia, North, South and
there is commitment at all levels. Central American and Eastern
Under the direction of RETOSA, Europe.
the various nations are moving
quickly to adopt or integrate the Several of his mandates have been
new standards. awarded prestigious international
awards including, most recently,
This effort demonstrates that the 2009 and 2010 Tourism for
southern Africa believes Tomorrow Award from the World
unequivocally that tourism will play Tourism and Travel Council.
a central role in the economic
development of the region. As with He has established a reputation for
any product, quality assurance and developing responsible tourism
environmental responsibility are destination management plans and
critical to the commercial and social effective marketing and investment
success of the business. strategies, sustainable tourism
products and attractions, and more
As tourism expands exponentially recently certification and grading
over the next two decades, programs.
particularly with travel from BRICS
nations, southern Africa is clearly His training programs, which have
positioned to be a major destination also won of the Green Globe
for these emerging markets as well Achievement award, have been
as maintain or strengthen their offered to more than 6000
market share in their traditional participants in 12 countries and
markets. several languages.
Harmonization of the James can be reached at;
accommodation standards and the
resulting product upgrades and jmacgregor@ecoplannet.com
improvements are a significant part
of that process.
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