Northamptonshire visitor attraction signs up to the VisitBritain quality accreditation scheme

Boughton House has become the latest Northamptonshire visitor attraction to get accreditation with the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS).

 

Northamptonshire now has a total of 9 VAQAS quality assured visitor attractions including: Althorp, Boughton House, Kirby Hall, Lyveden New Bield, National Waterways Museum (Stoke Bruerne), Northampton Museum & Arts Gallery, Rockingham Castle, Sulgrave Manor and Wicksteed Park.

 

VAQAS is VisitBritain's quality assessment service for all types of visitor attractions throughout England. All areas that impact on the quality of the visitor experience are included in the assessment, ranging from the initial enquiry through to the departure. The assessment will recognise areas that may be unique as well as common areas, Where an attraction does not have a particular facility, such as a car park or catering, those aspects are not included.

 

The service does not attempt to grade attractions but assesses each on its own merits using objective quality benchmarks, provided by the industry.

 

The assessment is an annual visit at any time when the attraction is open to the public. The visit, by an experienced quality assurance assessor, is unannounced, although on key contact at the attraction will be advised beforehand.

 

The assessment is followed by a one to one debrief. The objective feedback is for consideration and is based on examples of best practice drawn from the attraction industry.

 

Each visit is followed by an assessment report and, if successful, the accreditation of 'Quality Assured Visitor Attraction'.

 

A leaflet outlining the management and marketing benefits is available as a downloadable pdf by clicking the link: VisitBritain VAQAS Benefits of Participation Leaflet.

 

How can we help?

 

Explore Northamptonshire, a division of Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited can provide small grants towards the cost of the first year's fees for visitor attractions keen to get VAQAS quality accreditation. For more information please contact Susan Kay: susan.kay@northamptonshireenterprise.ltd.uk