Abito Quality Label

A Belgian DMC must meet the following criteria in order to obtain the

ABITO Quality Seal:

• 1. The DMC is a registered business and licensed by Toerisme Vlaanderen, Commissariat Général au Tourisme (CGT) or Visit Brussels for a minimum of three years.
• 2. The DMC will operate in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• 3. The DMC must accurately represent the expertise, experience, qualifications and services of their companies and their employees to the public.
• 4. The DMC provides services directly related to the organization of meetings, incentives, conferences and events or inbound group and special interest tours.
• 5. At least half of the annual revenue is from destination management services or, in the case where the provision for DMC services forms part of a parent company, a dedicated division will need to operate that service.
• 6. The DMC or the division within a parent company employs a minimum of 2 fulltime employees to cover the areas of sales, operations and administration effectively.
• 7. The human resources engaged by the DMC must be sufficient to meet the size of the jobs that are undertaken.
• 8. The DMC has a permanent office in Belgium and operates normal office hours.
• 9. The DMC has a functional website and operating email account/s with a private domain.
• 10. The DMC must provide a minimum of one recent (last 12 months) bank reference. (Applicable every two years)
• 11. The DMC must provide a minimum of three recent client references. (Applicable to DMCs entering the scheme for the first time)
• 12. The DMC must provide a minimum of three recent references from suppliers offering different services (e.g. accommodation, transport, entertainment, caterers) (Applicable to DMCs entering the scheme for the first time)
• 13. The DMC must provide an abridged financial statements (or a copy of the report to the National Bank as required by federal law) of the last full year of operations.
• 14. The DMC must maintain comprehensive insurance sufficient to protect clients as required by federal and regional laws.
• 15. The DMC must maintain current insurance certificates as required by regional travel agency laws.
• 16. The DMC is a member of a recognized international or local association, chamber of commerce in the field of business and/or incoming tourism.
• 17. A minimum of one member of staff must be adequately trained as a DMC operator through local or international educational bodies or equivalent experience.
• 18. The DMC provides induction training program on the meetings industry and/or inbound tourism for new members of staff.
• 19. The DMC attends specific seminars organized by Toerisme Vlaanderen, Visit Brussels or Commissariat Général au Tourisme (CGT).
• 20. The DMC acknowledges proposal requests and complaints within 24 hours.
• 21. The DMC provides an individual proposal that meets the client’s demands and requirements within 72 hours or as mutually agreed.
• 22. The DMC must enter into written agreements (contracts) with each client stating, at a minimum, the services to be provided, fees and billing procedures, the term and termination aspects of the contracts and the procedures in the event of a complaint.
• 23. Quotations and invoices must feature no hidden costs in line with international procurement procedures.
• 24. A person is available 24 hours a day during program events.
• 25. Customer feedback should be acted upon to ensure continuous improvement of the product offer.
• 26. The DMC must commit to comply with the following criteria during year of certification:
• The DMC will supply statistics in written or electronic format to the regional CVB to which it belongs.
• Assessment of client satisfaction during familiarization trips organized by a DMC, particularly when supported by the CVB or vice versa.