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Campground ratings are
an essential source of information that helps campers make an informed
choice,
corresponding to their needs and tastes and gives them a reliable
picture of the services offered by camping establishments. It also allows
operators to make sure their product continues to correspond to consumers’ expectations.
During
fall 2003, the Conseil de Développement du Camping au Québec
(CDCQ) has been recognized by the Ministry of Tourism as the body in
charge of conducting classifications. This program was previously voluntary
but is now mandatory, under the Tourist Accommodation Establishments
Act.
The program requires that each camping establishment be visited by
an inspector once every two years.
RATING PROGRAM
The rating program has two separate parts: one looking
at the quality of facilities and the other concerning the type of facilities
and extra
services. Each campground is given a rating out of 1,000 points: 700
points for the quality of facilities, and 300 points for the type of
facilities and
extra services.
QUALITY OF FACILITIES
The first part of the rating program looks at the quality of a
large number of indicators, grouped into four separate sections:
1) comfort stations
2) campground as a whole
3) recreational areas
4) reception facilities
To obtain a rating, a campground must obtain at least 350 points
(50%) in this part. In each of the four sections, the program looks
closely at maintenance, cleanliness, operation of equipment and
safety of facilities. Note that the ratings are calculated by means
of an evaluation grid, and do not take account of the evaluators’ personal
opinions. Only physical observations (e.g. defective door, no soap,
leaking roof) are considered.
TYPE OF FACILITIES
The second part of the evaluation concerns the
reception facilities and services offered by the campground. The
maximum score in this part is 300 points. In each of the four sections,
i.e.
1) comfort stations
2) campground as a whole
3) recreational areas
4) reception facilities
The program awards points for certain reception facilities and services offered
for campers. Note that these are not standards, but rather additional services
that the campground is not required to offer.
DEFINITION OF STARS
Each rating level has a specific meaning:
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Campground partly meeting the rating criteria |
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Campground meeting quality standards. |
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Campground with quality facilities, offering some extra services
and activities. |
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Campground with high-quality facilities, offering several extra
services and activities. |
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Campground with very high-quality facilities, offering a range
of extra services and activities. |
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Campground with excellent facilities, offering a wide range
of extra services and activities. |
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Evaluation in progress |
BREAKDOWN OF CAMPGROUNDS BY RATING
Rating |
Num. of campgrounds |
% |
 or |
63
|
7%
|
|
167
|
20%
|
|
|
244
|
29%
|
|
|
274
|
32%
|
|
|
91
|
11%
|
|
|
8
|
1%
|
MAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ACT AND
REGULATIONS
- By law, every person operating a campground is required to have
a classification certificate..
- The classification of camping establishments is done by an organization
recognized by the Minister for Regional Development and Tourism.
- The organization, with the Minister’s approval, establishes classification
criteria and the costs related to this classification.
- The certificate is valid for 24 months.
- Rights conferred by a classification certificate cannot be validly
transferred to another person.
- Any application for a classification certificate must be submitted
to the Minister.
- The classification certificate is in the form of a sign indicating
the name of the camping establishment and its classification.
- The certificate must be permanently affixed in public view, outside
the campground.
- The price of accommodation must be permanently displayed in public
view, in a customer reception or registration area.
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