QTSAS Extended to Retail Sector

Organised by Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), the 6^th Quality Tourism Services Accreditation Scheme (QTSAS) is now accepting applications from the catering and travel agency sectors until 12^th April. For the first time, QTSAS is also open to the retail sector this year.

The quota for participating catering establishments and travel agencies is 100 and 30, respectively. All licensed restaurants and F&B establishments as well as licensed travel agency headquarters or branches which have operated for one year or more in Macao are eligible for participation. Application forms are available from MGTO or can be downloaded from the Macao Tourism Industry Net: http://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo. Interested merchants fulfilling the pertinent criteria can submit applications and relevant documents to MGTO during office hours.

The Scheme encompasses two accolades - the Star Merchant Award and Service Star Award - for both the catering and travel agency sectors. Merchants successfully passing the assessments will be awarded Star Merchant Award accreditation valid for one year. Merchants garnering, in addition, the Service Star Award will be presented with a trophy and cash prize of MOP10000 in recognition of their remarkable service.

In recognition of the fact that the Certified Shop scheme evaluating the retail sector by the Consumer Council has reached mature operation, MGTO has forged a collaborative mechanism with the Consumer Council to extend QTSAS to the retail sector this year, open to selected ‘adherents/certified shops’ for participation.

Interested retailers can first join the Adherent/Certified Shop Scheme operated by the Consumer Council. Those who receive grade A- ‘Fine’ or above in the assessment will be recommended to the QTSAS Assessment Committee. In accordance with the categories of retailers, the Committee will then select qualified retailers as QTSAS Star Merchant Award winners for the retail sector, with their accreditation also valid for one year.

MGTO launched QTSAS in 2014 to establish service quality standards for the tourism industry. Some 260 catering businesses and 36 travel agencies currently enjoy the status of Star Merchant Award, a list of which the public can obtain from the Star Merchant Award - Restaurants and Eateries Guide, and the Star Merchant Award - Travel Agency Industry brochure, available from MGTO Tourist Information counters or the MGTO website: www.macaotourism.gov.mo.