The Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC) has announced it will endorse the codes of practice of hospitality sector bodies the Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA) and the Association of Serviced Apartment Providers (ASAP).
The HBAA has developed its code of practice in agreement with both agencies and hotels/venues to protect the interests of corporate clients and ensure a professional standard of service is maintained. Agency and venue members of the organisation are obliged to adhere to the code and ensure all associated parties, including employees, are aware of and abide by it during their day-to-day operations.
Meanwhile, members of the ASAP are also required to abide by its code of practice to ensure the serviced apartment industry maintains high standards. This includes participation in its Quality Accreditation process on joining and then on an annual basis.
The ASAP’s Quality Accreditation was developed to offer reassurance to guests, travel bookers and TMCs that accredited providers globally will deliver a consistent standard of accommodation in terms of facilities, comfort and health and safety.
Adrian Parkes, CEO of the GTMC, commented: “One of the key objectives of the GTMC is to ensure that the business traveller’s interests are protected and supported at an industry level. The hospitality sector is going through a period of rapid change which presents exciting opportunities for the buyer and the corporate traveller alike, however we are mindful that such evolution must be managed correctly. We are proud to support both the HBAA and ASAP in the implementation of their codes of practice and look forward to working with them to continue to maintain the highest standards of service across the industry.”
Juliet Price, executive director of the HBAA, said: “It is important that HBAA collaborates closely with other industry organisations that are working to lead change and drive progress. We have invested in ensuring that the code of practice provides a professional platform which fully supports best practice for agencies, hotels and venues working together and also protects the interests of their mutual corporate clients. We are delighted to have this endorsement and look forward to working more closely with the GTMC in the future to support and maintain high levels of service, not just for the hospitality and events sector, but also the wider corporate travel industry.”
James Foice, CEO of the ASAP, added: “The serviced apartment sector continues to go from strength to strength and we have seen a marked increase in demand from corporate travellers. To maintain this growth we have a strong commitment to upholding high standards of service for our member’s guests. The code of practice and our accreditation programme is integral to this and we welcome the GTMC’s support as we work to grow our profile and operations in the future.”
gtmc.org; hbaa.org.uk; theasap.org.uk