The Quality Seal was created in 2005 in cooperation with the Willy Scharnow-Foundation and is solely property of the Team for International Touristic Communication (TINTKO). It can only be granted by these institutions.
In a first step the Quality Seal will only be given to Incoming Agencies and other private or public entities which employ tour guides (free lance or fulltime staff).
The criteria to receive the seal are documented below. The agency must confirm in writing that these criteria are met. TINTKO checks each agency as part of its “agency evaluation” and during the mandatory initial guide training. All cost involved in this process will be paid by the agency.
Agencies that have received the Quality Seal commit themselves explicitly towards personal responsibility and the sustainability of these quality goals.
For the time being the Quality Seal is awarded for a period of 2 years. It will be renewed for another 2 years, if the agency confirms in writing that it complies with all previous requirements. TINTKO and/or their delegates will check this statement.
TINTKO supports all efforts to maintain and sustain the necessary standard of quality (advisory service prior to seminars, support in preparation of instruction material, handbooks and other media).
From the day the seal was awarded the agency has the right to use it and its logo in all its communication.
A preliminary quality seal can be awarded if
• the agency agrees unconditionally in writing to all quality goals/measures • first steps towards achieving these goals were taken • an individual evaluation of its tour guides and their ranking has taken place
