Doubts have been raised after the AA and VisitEngland failed to reach an agreement on its contract by the 1 April deadline.
AA was due to operate VisitEngland’s quality assessment and star rating scheme, but the two have yet to sign off the deal due to details of the contract.
VisitEngland’s National Quality Assessment Scheme was previously handled by Quality in Tourism, a company under G4S. The contract came to an end on 31 March allowing for the AA to takeover under a three-year contract.
Negotiations are underway to resolve the issues of the deal.
Helen Brocklehurst, head of publishing and digital at the AA, told The Caterer: “[This] means that the management of the scheme has reverted to VisitEngland.
“The AA is still working closely with VisitEngland on the details of the contract and we need some time to conclude.”
A statement from VisitEngland read: “Unfortunately it was not possible to conclude the contract with the AA for the licensing of the VE accreditation schemes on Friday.
“We are into the detail of the contract and need some time to conclude and for lawyers to review. This means that the management of the schemes has reverted to VisitEngland in the interim. We are in touch with all the affected staff and hope to resolve this in the next couple of weeks.
Scheme members should see no difference in the day-to-day management of the schemes – renewals and assessment visits will continue as usual.”
