Accommodation Knowhow
The Pink Booklet Online

FREE subscription to Accommodation Know-How

From 1 April 2009 www.accommodationknowhow.co.uk will be provided FREE to all accommodation businesses (with online access) that are participants in the VisitBritain Quality in Tourism (QIT) assessment scheme. This is a new membership benefit for 2009 worth over £30.00.

This is in recognition of VB's continued commitment to raising the level of knowledge and quality in tourism accommodation in England and in response to requests from QiT participants to include the Accommodation Know-How online service as a scheme benefit.

This is an important benefit to accommodation providers, as it gives you complete reassurance that you are complying with the law.

• Keeps you up-to-date with any important changes (via the e-alerts)
• Reduces the risk of penalties for non-compliance or insurance claims
• Can improve the efficiency of your business
• Reduces stress and saves valuable time and money in looking for information
• Can increase bookings
• Can offer an improved visitor experience to guests

If you already have a subscription to Accommodation Know-How either directly or via your regional tourist board this will continue with no change other than you will not be charged for this service from 1 April 2009. Your username and password will remain the same and you will be sent a letter with a reminder of this during the first two weeks in April 2009.

Customers with paid subscriptions in 2008/9 that have at least 6 months to run (as at 1 April 2009) will be entitled to a pro-rata refund.

You can have either a monetary refund or a copy of a How to Book valued at £9.99.

• How to run a quality bed and breakfast http://www.accommodationknowhow.co.uk/howto.aspx?type=bb
• How to run quality self catering accommodation http://www.accommodationknowhow.co.uk/howto.aspx?type=sc
• How to market your accommodation business effectively http://www.accommodationknowhow.co.uk/howto.aspx?type=mkt
• How to be a web-savvy accommodation business (hyperlink) http://www.accommodationknowhow.co.uk/howto.aspx?type=ws

You will need to provide us with your credit or debit card or request a cheque payment.

As you are a current subscriber, your username and password remains the same as when you paid for a subscription, so carry on using this to access the service.

If you can't remember your username and password, tel: 01635 588897 or e-mail: vb@circdata.com

Accommodation Know-How is VisitBritain's widely respected online resource for tourism accommodation businesses. It provides straightforward help and advice to help you unravel the complexities of legislation that affect your business as well as guidance on marketing and resolving common problems.

Clear guidance and practical information on:

• Fire risk assessment
• Health and safety
• Access for guests with disabilities
• Your premises
• Dealing with guests
• Managing staff
• Food safety
• Tax
• Marketing information and law

Regularly updated, the online service gives you complete peace of mind that you're covered by providing:

• access 24-7 to up-to-date information
• searchable, easy to find guidance
• monthly e-mail alerts informing you of new legislation
• information news and features
• discussion forum - share ideas with other tourism businesses in England

This is a benefit for the financial year 2009 / 10 so unfortunately due to budget restrictions we are unable to offer it before April. (Usually this is a paid-for service.)

Participants are not being charged extra for this service - it is a participation benefit to all online accommodation businesses covered by the usual fee.

Participants are not being charged extra for this service, so if you choose not to use it you will not get a discount. Just keep a note of your login once you receive it - you may need to use it to look up information in the future.

Your login will be via a unique username and password - this will be sent to you in an email and letter during the first two weeks of April 2009. As soon as you receive the e-mail / letter from us you'll be able to access the service.

So as long as you are a current scheme participant and you have a valid email address you can use the service. If you have not provided us with an e-mail address, please do - otherwise you will miss out (see contact details below)

Your login will be via a unique username and password - this will be sent to you in an email and letter soon after you join the scheme. As soon as you receive the e-mail / letter from us you'll be able to access the service.

If you leave the scheme, you will no longer have access to Accommodation Know-How. To continue accessing it, either rejoin the scheme or see Can I subscribe to this service if I'm not in the VisitBritain quality scheme? below

If you haven't received your username and password by mid April, tel: 01635 588897 or e-mail: vb@circdata.com

You can pay to access the service if you are not in the VisitBritain quality scheme - to find out more go to http://www.accommodationknowhow.co.uk/subscribepb.aspx

Further help and advice