Not every tourism business is ready to shine with a star grading, but that doesn’t mean they should be excluded from South Africa’s tourism story. The Basic Quality Verification (BQV) programme, developed by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA), is designed to bridge that gap, giving township and rural establishments a foothold in the formal tourism economy.
“It’s a really critical programme,” says Bronwen Auret, Chief Quality Assurance Officer at TGCSA. “BQV recognises predominantly home stays or micro-businesses in villages, towns and small dorpies that are looking to get into the formal tourism sector. We go in, we assess them for health and safety, basic customer experience and credentials. It’s an entry level programme for establishments to be recognised.”
A gateway to the tourism ecosystem
Auret acknowledges that for many small businesses, the barriers to entry are not ambition or hospitality, but resources. “They might lack the capital to upgrade or be intimidated by the formal sector’s standards. The BQV programme provides them with a clear pathway.”
Once verified, establishments are connected to the Department of Tourism’s enterprise development programme, where they receive support to grow their businesses: “We’re recognising the entry part of the product life cycle,” Auret explains. “From there, they can migrate towards full star grading — if that’s their goal.”
She says the results speak for themselves. One of the first BQV properties to become fully graded was Midgley’s in the Eastern Cape town of Adelaide. “Today, it holds a two-star grading and employs eight permanent staff,” she says. “Since being graded, they’ve had more consistent business and more repeat customers, and in a small town, that makes a huge difference.”
Assessors as catalysts
As with TGCSA’s BQV programme, youth employed evaluators are at the heart of evaluations. Once the property applies for formal grading, they are introduced to a certified Assessor.
“Our assessors don’t just tick boxes,” Auret stresses. “They act as critical business advisors in the grading process, helping owners understand criteria, target their markets, and grow sustainably. I’ve seen properties evolve from two-star to four-star because of that relationship. For BQV participants, assessors provide the same mentorship at the very start of their journey.”
TGCSA teams also conduct post-assessments, revisiting properties two years after verification. “The stories that come back are incredible,” Auret adds. “These are real people in tourism, building livelihoods and contributing to local economies.”
Scaling for impact
Currently, BQV is being rolled out province by province, with pilots already in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and now Gauteng. But the long-term vision is national.
“We want BQV to be an institutional gateway into the formal tourism sector,” says Auret. “Whether you’re in a village in the Eastern Cape or a township in Gauteng, you should feel part of South Africa’s tourism story.”
This inclusivity has a ripple effect. More verified establishments mean more choice for travellers, more authentic cultural experiences and more communities benefiting from tourism. As Auret puts it: “It makes the whole of South Africa more accessible.”
Why trade should care
For visitors, BQV means that even if you stay in a homestay in a rural village, you can trust you’ll get, comfort and a reliable experience. For the industry, BQV’s success means a bigger, more diverse product pool to package and sell, with the assurance that even entry-level establishments meet basic standards of safety, cleanliness and service.
“Grading is about trust,” Auret says. “But not everyone is ready for grading yet. BQV says: we see you, we recognise your potential, and we’re going to walk the journey with you. That’s catalytic — not just for the establishments, but for the entire tourism ecosystem.”
A quality-assured future
Tourism is one of South Africa’s biggest economic drivers, contributing over 8% to GDP. Programmes like BQV ensure that growth is inclusive, bringing more entrepreneurs into the fold.
“Not every guesthouse wants to be a hotel, and not every establishment aims to be five-star,” Auret reflects. “But every traveller deserves, comfort, and a warm welcome. That’s what BQV strives to achieve — and that’s why it’s a game changer.”