Tour Operators: On-Site Audit Frequency and Duration Survey |
Introduction
GSTC is planning a revision of the Accreditation Manual v2.4, where an important part is the definition and adjustment of the minimum requirements in terms of Audit Frequency and Duration that Accredited CBs shall employ in their Certification processes.
In order to have a complete picture of the current practices of Certification Bodies, the GSTC has prepared a set of 3 surveys covering our three subsectors: hotels/accommodations, tour operators and destinations.
The purpose of this survey is to address the frequency of on-site surveillance/maintenance audits and the duration of on-site initial and surveillance/maintenance audits in tour operators. This survey has been based on previous information, on Audit Frequency and Duration applied in certification processes, provided by our Certification Bodies in the past.
Please note that for the purpose of this survey, on-site audits, for certification purposes, could be divided in 3 types:
In order to have a complete picture of the current practices of Certification Bodies, the GSTC has prepared a set of 3 surveys covering our three subsectors: hotels/accommodations, tour operators and destinations.
The purpose of this survey is to address the frequency of on-site surveillance/maintenance audits and the duration of on-site initial and surveillance/maintenance audits in tour operators. This survey has been based on previous information, on Audit Frequency and Duration applied in certification processes, provided by our Certification Bodies in the past.
Please note that for the purpose of this survey, on-site audits, for certification purposes, could be divided in 3 types:
- Initial certification audit: On-site audit performed previously to the issuing of a certification document and for the purpose of certification of the client’s operations according to the relevant standard.
- Surveillance/ maintenance audit: On-site audit performed after the issuing of a certification document with the purpose to ensure that the certification body can maintain confidence that the certified client's operations continues to fulfill requirements of the standard.
- Other audit: Such as re-certification audits, extraordinary audits etc. These On-Site audits are not the subject of this survey.
To support GSTC's efforts in updating the Accreditation Manual v2.4, we seek answers to the questions presented here on the On-site Audit Frequency and Duration of your Certification Programs and levels/tiers.