The Eastern Cape welcomed the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) Annual Assessor Conference to the Wild Coast Sun – a 4-star graded resort on the province’s iconic coastline, where assessors and industry leaders marked TGCSA’s 25th anniversary and aligned on the next phase of quality assurance in South African tourism.
This year’s programme focused on refinement of grading criteria, refresher training, and the latest research to improve assessment quality and service delivery, with Universal Accessibility highlighted as a core theme to ensure inclusive experiences for travellers, including people with disabilities and older visitors.
Welcoming delegates, Lihle Dlamini, Chief Marketing Officer at ECPTA, said: “We are thrilled to host the prestigious TGCSA Assessor Conference and to share our province’s beauty and hospitality. Our rugged coastline, rich cultural heritage and warm welcome make the Eastern Cape an ideal backdrop for meaningful conversations and knowledge-sharing especially around MICE outputs.” She added: “The TGCSA grading system is a cornerstone of quality assurance and through bringing assessors and stakeholders together, we aim to foster collaboration, share best practice and drive innovation that lifts service standards across the sector.”
Staged at the Wild Coast Sun, set between the Umtamvuna and Mzamba rivers the conference also showcased the Eastern Cape’s capacity to host impactful industry events while connecting delegates to the province’s nature, culture and experiences. For the trade, the conference reaffirmed TGCSA’s role in star-grading and quality assurance, a key driver of trust, marketing visibility and conversion for accommodation and venues. Outcomes around accessibility and criteria updates will filter directly into assessments and product development roadmaps in 2025/26.
