AA Launches COVID CONFIDENT Scheme for Restaurants, Hotels, Pubs, B&Bs, Campsites, Self-Catering & Golf Courses
· New COVID CONFIDENT accreditation will indicate that hospitality establishments have met the necessary criteria to reopen safely when lockdown restrictions ease
· Industry backs AA scheme, with 19 hospitality trade bodies showing support
· AA website, RatedTrips.com, to list all accredited establishments, with regular newsletter making it easy to find approved destinations once lockdown lifts
17 June 2020. The AA has today announced a new COVID CONFIDENT assessment scheme to help give customers confidence that accredited hotels, restaurants, pubs, B&Bs and beyond have the necessary protective measures in place to safely reopen once lockdown restrictions are lifted.
Trusted by the public as a source of hospitality ratings and recommendations, and by the industry as a benchmark for quality, for over 112 years, the AA’s new COVID CONFIDENT assessment scheme has been backed by the hospitality industry, with 19 trade bodies supporting the initiative. The scheme will be a vital support for the hospitality industry in re-establishing and rebuilding consumer confidence as the UK prepares to come out of lockdown.
The AA COVID CONFIDENT accreditation will indicate to customers that an establishment has in place the necessary risk assessments, safety measures and staff training to reopen safely, in line with the Government and UKHospitality’s published guidelines.
Establishments eligible to apply for an AA COVID CONFIDENT accreditation include: hotels; restaurants; pubs; B&Bs and guest accommodation; camping, glamping and holiday parks; self-catering accommodation; hostels; serviced apartments; attractions; and golf courses.
The rigorous application process will include supplying a risk assessment, being able to provide clear evidence that relevant procedures and measures are in place, and that staff training has taken place. In addition, applicants must complete an online self-assessment and sign up to the COVID Confident Charter, a code of conduct that will include a commitment to continuing to update procedures and measures as guidelines change, and to submitting to future audits as required.
All establishments that are awarded an AA COVID CONFIDENT accreditation will be listed on the AA’s RatedTrips.com website, making them easy to find, with regular updates on the RatedTrips social channels across Instagram, Twitter and Facebook using the hashtag #AACOVIDConfident. The public can also sign up to the RatedTrips newsletter for the latest updates on the COVID CONFIDENT scheme, UK travel and hospitality news, offers, features and more via: https://www.ratedtrips.com/newsletter
Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Media, commented: “COVID-19 has had a profound impact upon all those working in the hospitality sector, and we’re acutely aware that customers are deeply concerned about how and when they will be able to safely return to restaurants, hotels, B&Bs, pubs and beyond. As lockdown lifts and the public begin to seek days out, short breaks, eating out and other experiences, the AA COVID CONFIDENT accreditation will support customers in finding approved establishments to visit.”
The scheme is open to all establishments. However, any establishment serving food will need to hold a food hygiene score of three and above to be eligible. The scheme is free to all establishments, with applicants encouraged to make a donation to Hospitality Action here under the option “AA COVID-19 Accreditation”.
Industry bodies backing the AA COVID CONFIDENT scheme are:
- ASAP, Association of Serviced Apartment Providers
- ASSC, Association of Scottish Self Caterers
- B&B Association
- Glamping Association
- HOSPA, The Hospitality Professionals Association
- Hospitality Action
- Hotel Marketing Association
- Institute of Hospitality
- Les Clefs d’Or, The Society of the Golden Keys of Great Britain and the Commonwealth
- Master Innholders
- PASC UK, Professional Association of Self-Caterers UK
- People 1st
- Premier Cottages
- Pride of Britain Hotels
- St Julian Scholars
- Tourism Alliance
- UK Housekeepers Association
- Wales Tourism Alliance
- WASCO, Welsh Association of Self-Caterers
The RatedTrips.com website lists over 12,000 AA and VisitEngland rated and recommended hotels, restaurants, pubs, B&Bs, self-catering cottages, caravan and campsites, and beyond, as well as offering travel inspiration via city guides, recommended things to do, information on local attractions, ideas for days out, and suggested places to visit.
