April 29th, 2016
The joys, the unqualified and apposite enjoyment, happiness, of the managing the bureaucratic arm of a bed and breakfast. Up there with accounting procedures, or having a tooth extracted. Yes indeed behind the screams, ah that would be scenes, the work of the proprietor, that would be MOI, never ceases (to amaze me and probably you too my dear and gentle longtime readers.)
Incoming email from the sightseeing and society dept, indicated “Important Changes to the Quality Assurance Program For Accommodations and Campgrounds Have Been Implemented for 2017.” AND claimed they had communicated this fact numerous times over the past year. It was the initial and I assert first time I had heard of the news. ( and it was to the past president and the treasurer of the bed and breakfast association of the province as well, but I digress)
OFF we went in one email I must point out, to the land of rules, regulations, red tape and bureaucracy. Just by clicking the links provided. Astounding. To give you, my followers of the almost daily diatribe, I have of late been remiss in these duties, an idea about that the email indicated that “Participation in a quality assurance program will still be required for a listing in the 2017 Authorized Guide for the province, more importantly on the HUGE sightseeing website they command.
The link provided took one to a internationally know program that has stars and everything, which no one looks at any more at all. (FYI review sites are now all the rage, usually on my part) the cost to participate is prohibitive, for one so small as my bed and breakfast, $350 in American dollars, ( it is a U.S. Company) takes it well over with the dollar and exchange rate to $450. (It was free before the province got involved BTW)
I informed the bureaucrat that this would drive me into the arms of the huge on line reservation systems, which I already have, they too very expensive but guaranteed to get me guests, they have, and the provincial site has not. It has been years since any one asked what my star rating was and to spend this amount of money to receive a 1 or possibly 2 star rating, with no assurance nor guarantee of passing, and no reimbursement is possible. All one might get, is nothing. Review sites is where folks shop. The second site clicked on How much does participation in the program cost? “Please contact us for a fee rates.”
What I would recommended was, that is someone wants to be on the tourism site, they purchase an advertisement. Yes they simply purchase a advertisement. There is a disclaimer from the province, stating there is nothing to be done about the quality issues, and OFF we go. Hotels with economies of scale, prevail.
The response back was characteristic and classic, “Thank you for your email. I will forward to the appropriate people for response.” There’s so much in the 21st century that is stymied by bureaucracy and mediocrity and committee. Benedict Cumberbatch & Moi