Apply for Accreditation

Accreditation
 
Accreditation is a set of industry standards established by the Tourism Industry to provide a model for best practice and customer service. Accreditation is a national program with a nationally recognised accreditation symbol.
The accreditation process is designed to not only establish, but continually improve industry standards for conducting a tourism business. It aims to assist every AVIC to improve the way it operates to meet the increasing demands of domestic and international consumers and stakeholders.
Accreditation provides both consumers and the industry with an assurance that an Accredited Centre is committed to quality business practice and professionalism. The primary focus is to ensure that service delivery standards meet and, where possible, exceed the visitors’ expectations.
The NSW Accredited Visitor Information Centre Manual provides a complete guideline of accreditation requirements. Please phone Aurora on 02 6885 5558 to request a copy.
 
Accreditation Benefits
There are many benefits of accreditation. These include:

Recognition

  • Business Development
  • Uniform operational parameters, including Mission Statement and Brand Statement
  • Improved profitability through the implementation of improved operating systems
  • Standardised reporting, application processes, renewals, etc. and access to AVIC Manual Modules and AVIC Style Manual
  • Greater customer confidence and satisfaction, which leads to repeat business
  • Improved employee morale and more efficient management
  • Greater sponsorship potential offering Network-wide opportunities
  • You can participate in a self-assessment process which gives the opportunity to evaluate performance and improve the quality of your AVIC operation

Support

  • One point-of-call resource and administrative contact
  • Access to one stop shop for purchase of branded flags and other promotional materials
  • Tourism NSW support
  • Access to one stop shop for enquiries including clarification of guidelines and assistance with the application process, as well as mentoring for new AVICs
  • Mentoring, networking and cooperation between members

Marketing

  • Authority to display the italicised accredited i logo on all promotional and advertising materials and building signage
  • Improved reputation and higher degree of marketability in the market place
  • Access to marketing opportunities not available to non-accredited Centres
  • Increased Local Government promotion as part of the AVIC Network
  • Re-direction of web enquiries posted to the www.visitnsw.com/avic website to your linked Visitor Centre website
  • Integration into the Tourist Signposting Policy
Resources
  • Access to reports, information and industry specific research to enable improved management and business decisions

Network

  • You will be part of a state-wide Network of like business entities that benefit from being part of an established, endorsed Program which will deliver industry development that is administered and verified independently.
  • Access to database of AVIC listings 
  • Certificate of Accreditation for display in your AVIC
  • Minimum operational requirements, leading to uniformity of service delivery
Accreditation > Levels & Fees
 
There are three levels of Accreditation:
Level 1:            AVICs are predominately full time LGA or Tourist Association-managed Visitor Centres that operate a minimum of 56 hours per week.
Level 2:            As for Level 1 but operating a minimum of 43 hours per week.
Level 3:            AVICs are predominately part of another business where the Visitor Centre operates a minimum of 5 days per week (including weekends) and is generally a private business, although some LGAs do have Level 3 Centres.
See the Level 3 Accreditation Policy [link to document]
Annual fees for Level 1 and Level 2 AVICs are currently $800.00 + GST and, for Level 3 AVICs, $350.00 + GST.
There is a pro-rata charge for new AVICs.
Accreditation > Accreditation Manual
 
The AVIC Accreditation Manual consists of five modules.
Each module is available by request in PDF and Word format.
Please email or phone us for your copy - 02 6885 5558 vic@auroraresearch.com.au
Module 1: Overview                        
Module 2: Planning                        
Module 3: Operations Manual       
Module 4: Templates                     
Module 5: Application