The Quality Assurance Program (accreditation)
Why a BC AgriTourism Code of Standards?
The BC AgriTourism Code of Standards is designed to promote growth in
BC's agritourism industry and 'raise the bar' for agritourism across
the province. In 2001, researchers found that product and service quality
control is a challenge in BC's agritourism industry. They recommended
that BC develop quality standards and encourage the use of these standards.
BCATA followed this recommendation and developed the Quality Assurance
Program to raise the quality of agritourism products and services in
BC.
The Quality Assurance Program is designed to:
> Increase the quality of agritourism products and
services
> Improve consumer safety and health at agritourism businesses
> Enhance our reputation for agritourism experiences
> Strengthen the local, regional and international agritourism markets
> Increase farmer and consumer awareness of quality assurance.
> Showcase British Columbia as a leading agritourism destination
> Improve consumer safety and health at agritourism businesses
> Enhance our reputation for agritourism experiences
> Strengthen the local, regional and international agritourism markets
> Increase farmer and consumer awareness of quality assurance.
> Showcase British Columbia as a leading agritourism destination
How does the Quality Assurance Program work?
The Quality Assurance Program allows agritourism
operators to become "accredited".
You can become accredited by completing an application form (see bottom
of page) and meeting the required quality standards. Once you have met
the required standards and submitted your completed application form,
you will be eligible for the benefits of accreditation. Sometime in the
first year, your business will be visited by a BCATA inspector to ensure
that you are continuing to meet the required standards and make recommendations
for helping you improve your business.
Steps to Becoming Approved
Step 1 – Meet all Legal Requirements
Ensure that your business meets all the legal requirements and that you
have obtained all necessary licenses and permits. Businesses that do
not fulfil this step will be automatically declined for Accreditation.
Step 2 – Complete Application
Complete the attached Application and Self Assessment Form. Return the
completed forms to the BCATA with your application fee and copies of
all licences, permits, certificates, and marketing materials.
Step 3 – Approval
The BCATA examines the completed forms. If the forms
are filled out correctly and all the standards are met, your business
will receive an Approved rating. You will receive access to the BCATA
logo, and all the benefits of Accredited membership.
Step 4 – On-Site Inspection
Sometime in the first year of membership, an inspector will visit you
to verify that your business adheres to the Code of Standards*. In
order to provide an accurate picture of how your business operates,
this inspection will occur in your business's main operating season.
Step 5 – Renewal
After one year of Accreditation status, you may renew your BC Agritourism
Accredited membership for two years by submitting a completed renewal
application and the appropriate renewal fee to the BCATA.
*Note about on-site inspections: The inspector will return their assessment
and suggestions to the BCATA. You will be notified of the inspection
results within 14 days of the inspection, and will receive a summary
of the inspection for your records. If there are areas that need to be
improved for you to adhere to the Code of Standards, you will have 60
days to resolve the outstanding issues and confirm the changes in writing
to the BCATA. If you do not supply this confirmation to the BCATA or
if, upon a subsequent random site inspection, the issues have not been
corrected; your membership will immediately be revoked and is not refundable.
If you would later like to become an Accredited Business you must begin
the application process again.
Do I need to be a member of BCATA to participate?
You do not have to be a member of the British Columbia AgriTourism Alliance
(BCATA) to participate. However, the cost of the program is higher
for non-members.
Cost of Participating in the Quality Assurance Program
The process of inspection and approval for accreditation is $300 for
members and $375 for non-members, payable in advance. Approval is good
for two years.
Benefits of Accreditation
> Use of BC AgriTourism accreditation logo
> Access to Highway Sign Program
> Eligibility for AgriTourism Insurance Program
> Access to Premium Marketing Package
> Access to Highway Sign Program
> Eligibility for AgriTourism Insurance Program
> Access to Premium Marketing Package
AgriTourism Insurance Program
The AgriTourism Insurance Program was developed in partnership with Capri
Insurance. For more information, contact Robert Fiume at 1 800 670-1877
(ext 217) or email rfiume@capri.ca
Application Form (pdf - Acrobat Reader)
Click to download a copy of the BC Quality Assurance Program Application
for Accreditation
For more information about the Quality Assurance Program and Code of
Standards, contact:
< Click here to return to BCATA member's page >