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Your AAA or Forbes Rating? |
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by Harry Nobles July 16, 2010 When is the right time to worry about your AAA or Forbes rating? I believe the best time to begin to worry, or at least to be concerned over the potential loss of a Star or Diamond is when you first earn the rating. It is easier to prevent the loss of a Star or Diamond or the loss of your AAA or Forbes approval completely than to earn it back. The first problem you encounter is that the rating organization is often reluctant to grant your request for another inspection; there are several valid reasons for this. One reason is that both AAA and Forbes have firm deadlines that must be met. Another is that the AAA Tourism Editor or inspector is often unable to accept the fact that an operator who has not made the necessary improvements to retain the rating in a year since the last inspection, is now going to make the improvements in a few weeks. The operator does not always find a friendly ear when trying to make the case for a re-inspection especially after having been told in writing a year earlier that the rating was in jeopardy. By the way, a downgrade or disapproval rarely happens without a clear and unambiguous advanced written notice. Another reason to take proactive measures is that it can be less expensive than playing catch-up after the fact. Your preventive action may include incremental FF&E upgrades, shopping around for the best price, and addressing problems before they become even more serious. Proactive measures should definitely include frank and open communication with the inspector about your plans and priorities. The inspector is not an advisor or consultant to give you specific advice, but he or she can certainly answer some basic questions, and possibly point you in the right direction. During my tenure at AAA and since I have found the Tourism Editors to be knowledgeable, professional, and willing to discuss rating matters with operators. Finally, I suggest you stay as involved with the rating issues as you do all the other details of your operation, and keep up with the ever-changing rating requirements, policy, and procedures So, I urge you to talk to your inspector, talk to me, talk to someone who will give you some answers to your questions. Please remember that only you can make the final decisions. That is as it should be because nobody knows your property as well as you; just get all the accurate information you can so you can make an informed decision. My best wishes to you
during this difficult time.
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