Cheng Wai Tong encourages industry partners to participate in QTSAS
Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) held two promotion seminars today (4 March) to call for applications from catering and travel agency sectors between 18 March and 12 April for the Quality Tourism Services Accreditation Scheme (“QTSAS” or “the Scheme”), which has been carried out for the sixth year. The Office has forged a collaborative mechanism with Consumer Council to open QTSAS to the retail sector as well this year.
MGTO Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong, Head of Training and Quality Management Department of MGTO, Doris Leong, as well as representatives from a number of supporting entities were present at the seminars which introduced the application procedures and assessment criteria of QTSAS. The supporting entities for the Scheme include Municipal Affairs Bureau, Consumer Council, Institute for Tourism Studies, Macau Hotel Association, the United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macao, Association of Macau Small and Medium Enterprises of Catering, Association of Macao Tourist Agents, Macau Travel Agency Association and Travel Industry Council of Macau.
QTSAS covers catering businesses and travel agencies once again
The Office continues to run QTSAS for catering and travel agency sectors. Following evaluations on the assessment system and operation of QTSAS, the Office has duly adjusted and optimized the Scheme to attract new merchants and encourage awarded merchants to participate continuously and attain a new level of service quality.
The quota of participating catering establishments and travel agencies are 100 and 30 respectively. All licensed restaurants and F&B establishments as well as licensed travel agency headquarters or branches which have operated for one year or above in Macao are eligible for participation. Application form can be acquired from MGTO or downloaded from the Macao Tourism Industry Net: http://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo. Interested merchants that fulfill the pertinent criteria can submit applications and relevant documents to MGTO during office hours within the period from 18 March to 12 April.
The Scheme encompasses two accolades known as “Star Merchant Award” and “Service Star Award” for both catering and travel agency sectors. Merchants successfully passing the assessments will be awarded the “Star Merchant Award” accreditation valid for one year. Merchants which also harvest the “Service Star Award” will be presented a trophy and cash prize of MOP10,000 in recognition of their remarkable service.
QTSAS extends to retail sector this year
Tourist shopping and consumption is a major component of the tourism industry. MGTO had therefore been studying the feasibility of extending the Scheme to the retail sector for enhancement of respective service quality. Considering that the “Certified Shop” Scheme carried out among the retail sector by Consumer Council has reached mature operation and gained strong recognition among both retailers and consumers, MGTO forged a collaborative mechanism with Consumer Council to extend QTSAS to the retail sector this year.
Starting in 2019, QTSAS is opened to certain “adherents/certified shops” for participation. Interested retailers can first join the “Adherent/Certified Shop” Scheme operated by Consumer Council. Those who receive grade A- “Fine” or above in the assessment will be recommended to the QTSAS Assessment Committee. In accordance with the categories of retailers, the Committee will then select qualified retailers as “Star Merchant Award” winners in QTSAS for the retail sector. The “Star Merchant Award” accreditation they receive will be valid for one year.
MGTO launched QTSAS in 2014 to establish service quality standards for the tourism industry, encourage and support industry partners to enhance their service quality as well as recognize tourism merchants and practitioners for their outstanding service and excellent service management, in line with Macao’s goal to become a world centre of tourism and leisure.
At present, a total of 260 catering businesses and 36 travel agencies have the “Star Merchant Award” under their belt. For the list of awarded merchants, the public can obtain the “Star Merchant Award – Restaurants and Eateries Guide” and the brochure “Star Merchant Award – Travel Agency Industry” from any of MGTO’s Tourist Information counters or browse MGTO’s website: www.macaotourism.gov.mo.
