Qualmark

Qualmark is New Zealand tourism’s official quality assurance organisation, providing instant recognition that your business will deliver a quality experience.

Launched as a joint venture with Tourism New Zealand, Qualmark works with Tourism New Zealand to help the tourism industry deliver high quality experiences and maintain a high level of visitor satisfaction.  

With over 2,300 tourism businesses as members throughout the country, Qualmark has continued to evolve to meet the ever-changing landscape, including Service Delivery and Qualmark Specialist teams who work directly with members to help ensure their operations are the best they can be, using the Sustainable Tourism Business criteria. Additionally, the Membership Engagement team provide ongoing support and communications to ensure members always remain connected. 

Why become Qualmark accredited?  

Qualmark helps visitors and international travel sellers select the right tourism product to suit their needs by providing a star grading system for accommodation providers and a quality endorsement programme for other tourism businesses.  

Benefits of Qualmark 

• Access to your own Qualmark Specialist  
• Access to key insights from Tourism New Zealand, including market readiness and product development advice 
• Consumers and the travel trade use Qualmark businesses when making purchase decisions. 
• Eligibility to be included in Tourism New Zealand trade famils (travel sellers visiting to experience product to sell) 
• Nationwide promotion through the i-SITE network 

How Qualmark Works 

1. Apply: Complete online application 
2. Welcome: A friendly Qualmark Specialist will be in contact to go through the evaluation process, letting you know what to prepare and how you can get the most from the evaluation. There is no such thing as a failed evaluation. Your assigned Qualmark specialist will prepare you to ensure you are ready.  
3. Evaluation: Your Qualmark Specialist comes to your business for up to three hours, identifying opportunities to enhance your business, develop an action plan, and award either bronze, silver or gold accreditation.   
4. Accreditation: A full report with recommendations and acknowledgements is sent to newly accredited business.  

What’s the Value of Qualmark 

• Qualmark is now globally recognised and aligns with GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council). This means international markets will recognise this accreditation.  
• Priority listing on newzealand.com (a Qualmark award receives 3x as many referrals as a non-Qualmark operator.  
• Nationwide promotion through the I-Site network 
• Eligibility to attend Tourism New Zealand Travel trade and training events 
• Eligibility to be included in Tourism New Zealand trade and media famils 

What are the 5 pillars covered in a Qualmark Evaluation 

1. Business System: Business plan, policies and procedures, marketing and branding, sales channels and execution, business improvement process, risk management and mitigation. 
2. Environment: Managing environment impact, waste management & pollution and restoring nature 
3. People: Caring for employees, staff training, staff who care and staff acknowledgement and satisfaction 
4. Community and Culture: Great hospitality, customer values and education, hosting guests with different needs, local knowledge and community support 
5. Health and Safety: Leadership, risk identification and mitigation, emergency management procedures, investigating and improving, worker engagement, participation and training, worker wellness and wellbeing.  

For further information, or to apply, head to www.qualmark.co.nz