Association of Serviced Apartment Providers launches accreditation scheme
The UK's Association of Serviced Apartment Providers (ASAP) has created a global accreditation programme for the serviced apartment industry.
ASAP has partnered with the US-based trade body the Corporate Housing Providers Association (CHPA), to create the International Serviced Apartment Accreditation Programme (to be known as ISAAP).
Set to be formally launched this summer, the assessment process will include guest reviews, internet review systems, and physical inspection of properties.
The initiative's pilot assessments are set to take place first in New York, San Francisco and Dallas in the US, and Toronto and Calgary in Canada, all of which have been chosen as primary locations for the scheme.
European organisations are expected to become involved alongside North America, soon, as part of the plans to implement high standards worldwide.
James Foice, ASAP & ISAAP's Managing Director, explained that the serviced apartment industry had grown by 14% in the past year, comprising 750,000 apartments worldwide.
He said: "North America is a major driver for innovation in our industry, so we are excited to roll out the programme there."
CHPA chief executive officer, Mary Ann Passi, said: "Collaborating with ASAP and their UK-based assessors to launch this pilot programme ensures that quality standards are consistent. The results will help build CHPA's assessment capability while helping members differentiate their companies based on service and quality of their guests' experiences. This pilot programme begins connecting the industry globally to ensure that clients and guests are best served."
ASAP is the trade association for the UK serviced apartment sector, and has 95 members across over 17,000 properties throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe.
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