55E - RESO - HOTEL INCENTIVE PROGRAM

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Approval Requirements Introduction Dear Hospitality Professional, On behalf of AAA, I am pleased to introduce to you the latest edition of the Lodging Approval Requirements & Diamond Rating Guidelines. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the AAA Diamond Ratings, as well as the 20" anniversary of the Diamond Rating Guidelines. Since its inception in 1902 as a federation of independent motor clubs, AAA has existed to provide information, safety, security, and peace of mind to its now more than 50 million members. AAA's services have evolved to encompass roadside assistance, insurance and financial services, safety education, and public affairs. AAA is also an undisputed leader in travel information and services. In 1937, the first AAA field representatives were hired to inspect lodgings and restaurants, and in 1963, AAA began assigning lodging ratings from `good' to 'outstanding'. In 1977 — AAA's 75th (diamond) anniversary — the Diamond Rating system was introduced for lodgings, with restaurants included in 1989. In 1987, the first AAA Lodging Diamond Rating Guidelines booklet was introduced for industry review. Prior to this date, only minimum approval requirements were printed and distributed upon request. The new edition of the AAA Approval Requirements and Diamond Rating Guidelines was designed with two objectives in mind: • To ensure that our ratings program is accurate and consistent when compared to meeting the travel needs of over 50 million AAA members. • To provide hospitality professionals a valuable reference so they may be successful in achieving their goal as it relates to AAA Approval and our proprietary Diamond Rating Process. To that end, we feel that it is important to partner with the hospitality industry by gathering input, discussing the meaning of our ratings, and openly sharing how the Diamond Rating Process is applied at the property level. We strongly urge property representatives to take full advantage of the information provided by AAA inspectors during an evaluation, since our experts are exposed to a wide range of properties throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. AAA evaluates more than 32,000 accommodations, 28,000 restaurants and nearly 11,000 campgrounds as key content for over 168 million copies of travel - related materials annually. AAA travel products are wide - ranging and include 26 regional TourBook° guides, 11 regional CampBook® guides, AAA.com— including the well -known TripTik® Travel Planner —as well as, numerous retail guidebooks, atlases and maps. We look forward to your continued service on behalf of AAA members at large and appreciate your participation in AAA programs. Sincerely ;rector/AAA Petrone, CEC ;rector /AAA Tourism Information Development 551 -6