FAQ
What’s new?
SouthWestern have won the Fáilte Ireland tender to undertake quality assurance assessments for tourism businesses, following a European tender process. SouthWestern is a market leader in the provision of front and back office services in the areas of CRM,
Finance & HR, Public Sector and Financial Services to leading public and private sector clients in Ireland, the UK and Europe.
Why has Fáilte Ireland appointed SouthWestern at this time?
The contract for the Statutory National Quality Assurance Framework, previously held by
Tourist Accommodation Management Services Ltd (TAMS) expired at the end of May
2013, and the contract for the non-Statutory National Quality Assurance Framework held by Tourism Standards Assessments Ltd (TSA) expired at the end of June 2013.
Fáilte Ireland took this opportunity to seek to appoint one contractor for the provision of all assessments, registration and classification services for all approved sectors of the tourism industry (statutory and non-statutory).
Following a European tendering process, SouthWestern was successful in winning the tender.
I am currently approved by Fáilte Ireland. What impact will this have on me?
SouthWestern will offer advice to businesses on registration and classification processes and standards in a variety of ways, including visits by assessors, such as determining the improvements required for an operator to reach a higher classification level for the property.
SouthWestern will continue to measure against existing Fáilte Ireland standards. The assessors will be familiar with the Irish Tourism industry and have sector specific skills and experience; their approach will be supportive and advisory, but also robust, practical and reasonable.
SouthWestern will provide a comprehensive feedback report, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement within your operation. This document can act as a useful tool for business planning. SouthWestern are ‘on the ground representatives’ for the Fáilte
Ireland quality assurance framework, so if you have any questions, or feedback, please use the opportunity to give your comments when the assessor visits your business. Visits will be scheduled in advance and every effort will be made to suit your schedule.
I am not approved by Fáilte Ireland. How will this benefit me?
SouthWestern will proactively offer advice in a variety of ways, including visits by assessors in an advisory role to tourism business operators that are contemplating becoming approved to Fáilte Ireland standards.

The purpose of the advice will be to advise the owner/manager of the establishment of the details of the relevant national quality assurance framework and to give guidance on possible ratings and any improvements that may be necessary.
What is the Statutory Quality Assurance Framework?
The Fáilte Ireland National Quality Assurance Framework has been developed to provide visitors with the assurance that nationally recognised minimum standards are in place.
The framework also has been designed to raise standards across the tourism industry and to support the development of individual tourism sectors by providing a marketing tool to tourism operators.
The following accommodation businesses that are required to achieve minimum standards under the current statute are:
 Hotels
 Guest houses
 Holiday Hostels (Registered and Listed)
 Youth Hostels
 Holiday Camps
 Caravan and Camping Parks
 Holiday Cottages and Holiday Apartments (eight units or more on one site)
Each of these accommodation businesses cannot use these prescribed terms without first being assessed by SouthWestern and approved to Fáilte Ireland standards.
SouthWestern will carry out the following functions:
 The registration of specified accommodation categories, as called for under the
Tourist Traffic Acts 1939-2003, as amended,
 The classification (or grading) of these types of accommodations,
 The provision of advice to tourism businesses, providers and developers concerning the national quality assurance framework
 Handling of complaints
What is the Non-Statutory Quality Assurance Framework?
The Fáilte Ireland National Quality Assurance Framework has been developed to provide visitors with the assurance that nationally recognised minimum standards are in place.
The framework also has been designed to raise standards across the tourism industry and to support the development of individual tourism sectors by providing a marketing tool to tourism operators.
Non-Statutory Sectors will also be assessed by SouthWestern and approved to Fáilte
Ireland standards, include the following:
 Irish Home B&B’s (Farm houses, Country houses and Town houses)
 Pubs
 Equestrian centres
 Golf Courses
 Coach tourism
 Historic houses
 Spa and wellness
 Self-Catering (individual properties, seven units or less on one site)

SouthWestern will carry out the following functions:
 The listing of specified accommodation categories, as outlined above.
 The classification (or grading) of these tourism businesses within each tourism sector. In addition, some sectors have categorisation.
 The provision of advice to tourism businesses, providers and developers concerning the National Quality Assurance Framework
 Handling of complaints
CONTACT DETAILS:
Phone: 1890 697000
Address: SouthWestern
PO. Box 51
Clonakilty
Co Cork
Email:
Web: tourismservices@southwestern.ie
www.southwestern.ie