The first ever global accreditation programme, developed by the UK’s Association of Serviced Apartment Providers (ASAP), is on track to roll out worldwide following an innovative collaboration with US-based Corporate Housing Providers Association (CHPA).
International Serviced Apartment Accreditation Programme
The programme – known as the International Serviced Apartment Accreditation Programme (ISAAP) – has grown out of the accreditation system that was originally developed and adopted by the ASAP and its members. The programme has received significant support and interest from around the world and makes its world debut in North America with assessments taking place in five strategic locations across the USA and Canada.
“The ISAAP programme, which embraces guest opinion, internet review mechanisms and detailed physical assessment, launches at a time when the serviced apartment industry is growing at 14% in the past year alone, with 750,000 apartments world-wide. North America is a major driver for innovation in our industry, so we are excited to roll out the programme there,” explained James Foice, ASAP & ISAAP’s Managing Director.
Pilot assessments
New York, San Francisco and Dallas in the USA and Toronto and Calgary in Canada have been selected as primary locations for the initiative’s pilot assessments, conducted by assessors from the UK.
The collaboration across North America is just the beginning of ASAP’s developing relationships worldwide, with more European organisations coming on board soon.
CHPA Chief Executive Officer, Mary Ann Passi, CAE, 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.”
Growth on a global level
By introducing CHPA’s membership to the pilot programme, the opportunity for growth of the programme on a global level is exponentially greater. This collaboration shows the scalability on a global level, which will facilitate worldwide adherence to quality standards and guest experience expectations.
“This is testament to the robust systems established by the ASAP and adopted by over 80% of the membership and we’re delighted that CHPA, recognised as innovators in our industry, have agreed to collaborate with us on implementing this major accreditation pilot programme in North America and Canada. We are now looking actively for other international partners to assist in the global roll out over the next 18 months,” said Foice.
The ISAAP is based in the UK and will be launched formally in the summer of 2015.
ISAAP: International Serviced Apartment Accreditation Programme is the first ever global accreditation programme developed for the international serviced apartment industry by the UK’s Association of Serviced Apartment Providers (ASAP).
ASAP: is the trade association for the UK serviced apartment sector. Our 95 members own and operate over 17,000 properties throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe. Our membership also includes 11 serviced apartment agencies committed to supporting and growing the sector. Our industry generates annual revenues of £600 million, and we sell three million accommodation nights each year. We provide employment to many thousands of people and our staffing costs are in the region of £70 million, many of which are low paid jobs. Founded in 2002, our members range from large international companies to small independent operators so represent the full cross-section of the industry.
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CHPA: is the only trade association dedicated exclusively to the corporate housing industry. The association expects members to uphold the highest standards in business and professionalism; provides valuable insight, knowledge and resources to the industry; and increases visibility among related industries. Along with networking, education, certification, and information sharing, CHPA members grow their business and expand their reach through an international network of partners.
Find out more about corporate housing here