Star grading is an independent quality assessment that will help tell you what facilities you can expect to find at your chosen accommodation or conference venue.

An accommodation establishment can be quality-graded as one star all the way to five star, with one star indicating basic facilities, right through to five stars, showing the very best quality. Grading also takes into account the type of accommodation,  so you could have a five-star B&B, as well as a five-star hotel, as long as they both offer the highest quality relevant to their category.

It's based on the venue's overall quality and takes into account the specific facilities you’d expect to be available at a particular star grading.

The benefits of being star graded

1. A quality graded establishment offers substantial consumer confidence.
2. Graded establishments are profiled in all TGCSA Marketing campaigns including above the line advertising, PR, Promotions and Online marketing.
3. Graded establishments may use the TGCSA logo (star) in all their marketing material.
4. All graded establishments get a free listing on the TGCSA website.
5. Only graded establishments and conference venues have the right to advertise in the official TGCSA accommodation guide. This guide is the official accommodation guide distributed by SA Tourism via its call centre and offices worldwide.
6. ALL graded establishments are listed in the A-Z listing section of the e-guide version of the Star Guide.
7. South African Tourism endorses and uses star graded establishments on the official South African Tourism website: www.southafrica.net
8. Grading gives organizations a competitive advantage.  All government departments are required to procure accommodation from graded establishments only.
9. Grading is a constant quality control tool as customers can call the customer feedback centre on 083 123 6789, or go through the tourism grading website (www.tourismgrading.co.za).
10. The TGCSA extensively markets star grading directly to consumers, tour operators and travel agents.
11. Graded establishments may display the TGCSA plaque and internationally recognised star rating outside their premises.
12. Graded properties will receive a valid certificate for display inside their premises.
13. All graded establishments have the right to access comprehensive (historic and current) details of all their assessments by using their unique login details.
    All graded establishments can load pictures, hyperlink and a write-up of their establishment through their own listing page on the TGCSA website.
14. The TGCSA Customer Feedback Management System (CFM) will provide comprehensive consumer feedback received about their establishment.
15. Graded establishments receive regular communication updates.