Project

“Transfer of Quality Ensurance Tools for European Rural Tourism Sector”

(QUALITOOL)

2008 - 2010

Background/source project:

A New Approach to Training for Quality in European Rural Tourism

Time: 2002-2004

Partners: LCTA “Lauku ceļotājs” – Latvia Futour GmbH – GermanyEesti Maaturism – EstoniaProdec Cosultores S.L. – SpainVidzeme University college – Latvia

What did we do in the source projectWhat did we do in the source project

• Summary of RT quality and inspection systems in Europe

• Customer survey of quality expectations

• International RT Workshop in Puchheim, Germany, May 16, 2003 (50 participants, 20 countries)

• Basic Rural Tourism Quality criteria

• Inspector’s manual (all project partner langauages)

• Inspection forms (country specific)

• Testing

• ITSPS tool elements integrated into RT course curriculum of Vidzeme University college

Inspector’smanual

Basic qualitycriteria

Self evaluation

Virtual trainingmodule

Inspection results

data system

Source project results:Source project results:

Definition of quality criteria

• International RT Quality Workshop in Puchheim, Germany on May 16, 2003 (50 participants, 20 countries)

Benchmarking of quality systems (Austria, UK, France, Spain, Germany, Latvia)

International customer survey on quality expectations

Quality criteria “Tree” and Quality criteria “Tree” and inspection formsinspection forms

Virtual training moduleVirtual training module

QUALITOOL PROJECTQUALITOOL PROJECT

Results to produce:

Web based training Tool for RT quality consisting of:

1. Web based quality check for minimum RT accommodation quality criteria in Europe

2. Inspectors manual

3. Virtual training module, illustrating with pictures the minimum quality criteria

Work packages and tasksWork packages and tasks

1. Project management

2. Summary and analysis of the existing situation and training needs

3. Optimisation of the Tool for testing and transfer (02.2009 - 11.2009)

4. Testing, finalisation and transfer of the Tool for SMEs needs in Europe (11.2009 – 08.2010)

5. Project dissemination (10.2008 – 09.2010)

WP 1 Project managementWP 1 Project management

Reporting:

• Interim report:

- partner reports by 15.09.2009.

2. Final report:

- partner reports by 31.10.2010

- we submit project report at the latest by 30.11.2009

WP2 Summary and analysis of the existing WP2 Summary and analysis of the existing situation and training needssituation and training needs

Time: 11.2008 - 02.2009

Activities:

- Project leader provides inquiry form for the review

- Eurogites provides information sourced from its members

- Project leader collects and summarises partner info, produces final document

- the final review document used to update the Tool contents

Output:

RT state of Art summary document

WP3 WP3 Optimisation of the Tool for testing Optimisation of the Tool for testing and transfer and transfer

Time: 02.2009 - 11.2009

Activities:

- Customer review online

- Partner feedback

- Eurogites to revise minimum quality standards

- Project leader responsible for programming and web design of the Tool

Outputs:

- Customer survey results

- Updated Eurogites minimum standards

- The Tool ready for testing in project partner countries

WP4 Testing, finalisation and WP4 Testing, finalisation and transfer of the Tooltransfer of the Tool

Time: 11.2009 – 08.2010

Activities:

- Testing by partners in their countries

- Quality workshop in LV (April 2010)

- Project leader to finalise integrating testing results

- Transfer the Tool to Eurogites

Outputs:

- Quality workshop in LV held

- Tool accessible from Eurogites web site

WP5 DisseminationWP5 DisseminationTime: 10.2008 – 09.2010

Activities:

- Project leader responsible for project information in its web site

- Project presentation in national and international events by partners

- Eurogites 4th congress (September 2009)

- Roundmailing, press releases, etc.

Output:

- 29 RT organisations in Europe become users of the Tool