After the Inspection

Grading refers to the rating of a property from 1 to 5 stars. Tourism NI offers a Quality Star Rating Scheme, which is operated across the UK. This scheme is open to Hotels, B&Bs, Guesthouses, Guest Accommodation, Hostels & Self Catering.

The scheme focuses on enhancing the visitor experience across all visitor touchpoints. In addition to providing a star rating which helps visitor decision making, the scheme also provides businesses with advice and support.

Having an official star grade will give your premises credibility and visibility which is vital in today’s competitive market. Further information on how the scheme works is available on www.tourismni.com/grading

If you have any queries or would like an application pack, please contact our office by emailing qa@tourismni.com or telephone 028 9044 1682. Please note that this scheme is voluntary and you are under no obligation to apply for quality star rating.

If you are interested in obtaining ‘White on Brown’ tourist signage, you should contact your local council Tourism Officer who can provide you with an application form. Local councils coordinate the application process for white on brown tourist signs which involves liaising with Tourism NI and Transport NI.

You can also download a signage application form and a copy of the joint Transport NI – Tourism NI Tourist Signing Policy here.

External advertising signage, either in the grounds of your facility or in any other public space, may require planning permission. Tourism NI recommends that you discuss any proposed external advertising signage with the planning team at your local council prior to erection.

Do not claim to be ‘Tourism NI Recommended’ or ‘Approved’; you may indicate that you have a Tourism NI Certificate, if you wish.

Successful marketing is important for every business and your accommodation business is no different. You could have the most desirable property in your area, but without marketing, no one will know about it.

It is important that the cost of marketing your business is considered early in the planning stage. It is unlikely that the cost of marketing your business will be a one-off payment, so consider marketing as a running business cost and build this into your business plan.

Once certified, your property will be given the option to appear on our consumer website www.discovernorthernireland.com at no additional cost. A short narrative about the property including facilities, nearby attractions, amenities, location and website address as well as up to 9 images can be uploaded to www.tourismni.com.

Whilst this website provides a great platform for going online, we recommend that you do not solely rely on this to drive business, but rather use it as part of your overall marketing plan.

Tourism NI also has a large following across a variety of social media platforms. If you have interesting or engaging content you would like to share about your business, you can send your stories to digital@tourismni.com for consideration. Similarly, if you have a special offer, you will be able to submit your accommodation offers for placement on www.discovernorthernireland.com

Providers are encouraged to direct guests to online review sites or Social Media platforms to post a review of their experience. Customer reviews can highlight positive experiences, verified tips and useful observations. Generating positive feedback may influence potential customers when researching or booking accommodation.

Tourism NI encourages all operators to aim for excellence. By providing enhanced facilities, amenities and additional services, you are more likely to obtain a higher letting rate, be more assured of higher occupancy for longer periods and be more likely to generate profits. These need not involve great capital outlay, but can add considerably to your product.

Here are just a few ideas:

• Bike hire/storage
• Guided tour of locality
• Central games room, books and board games, etc.
• Internet facilities
• Provision of a games room, books and board games, etc.
• Wi-Fi
• Café

Guests will be encouraged to stay longer if you have something special to offer. Read the promotional literature from other similar establishments for cost-effective ideas which can be adapted for your establishment whatever its size.

Tourism NI, in its promotion of sensible, sensitive and sustainable tourism, encourages ‘good housekeeping’ schemes such as recycling, energy conservation and waste minimisation. For further information on addressing environmental impacts, download Tourism NI’s ‘Going Green’ Guide.

• Online Certification 
• Quality Grading Scheme 
• Industry Insights
• Signage Policy 
• Alcohol Licensing 
• Discover Northern Ireland
• World Host Customer Service Training (for information about customer service training programmes which assist the industry in providing first class standards of service)
• Divisional Planning Office 
• HM Revenue & Customs (for implications of starting a business and VAT considerations) 
• Music License Information for Public Areas (for details on how to obtain a music license when playing music in a public area) www.ppluk.com and www.prsformusic.com
• Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service 
• Health and Safety Advice for Small Businesses (to help manage health and safety in the workplace and relevant legislation)
• Northern Ireland Environment Agency (for information regarding the registration of private water supplies to holiday accommodation)
• The Tourism (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 (copies of all regulations can be obtained from The Stationary Office, Arthur Street, Belfast) 

For more information/application forms for certification contact the Quality and Standards Department:

Tel: 028 9044 1545

You can also email this department at qa@tourismni.com or write to us at our offices at:

Tourism Northern Ireland, Floors 10-12 Linum Chambers, Bedford Square, Bedford Street, Belfast, BT2 7ES.