Thistle achieves Hospitality Assured accreditation

Thistle has become the first hotel group to be awarded full Hospitality Assured accreditation throughout its entire portfolio of properties.

Created by the Institute of Hospitality, the Hospitality Assured mark of approval is measured by independent assessors who analysed each of Thistle's 33 hotels against 10 customer-related steps, including customer research, operational planning, standards of performance, training, development and customer satisfaction improvement.

As well as all hotels achieving the 60% score required for accreditation, a quarter of the properties were awarded the "world class" grading by scoring 70% or higher.

Ann Corrigan, managing director of Hospitality Assured, said that Thistle had demonstrated that it was a serious competitor within the hotel sector by setting its sights high, developing its teams accordingly and putting its entire portfolio of hotels to the test.

"The group achieved resounding success and we're delighted to be confidently marking them as a hotel group that offers excellent customer care as standard," she said.

Heiko Figge, managing director of Guoman & Thistle Hotels, said the accreditation was an outstanding achievement for Thistle.

"It provides us with a great tool to ensure our guests are in very safe hands when they stay with us; they can rely in our consistently high standards," he said.

Thistle is currently in the middle of a £100m refurbishment project which is aimed at transforming its hotels into contemporary, individual properties.

Accreditation schemes >>

Institute of Hospitality offers special membership deals >>

Thistle Hotels to expand outside UK >>

By Janet Harmer

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