Hospitality experts Jeannine Sok and Sven Heijkoop have launched the very first hospitality quality mark for the hospitality industry named ‘Gezellig’ during the hospitality trade fair Gastvrij Rotterdam 2023. Together with various partners, they aim to inspire the hospitality sector to excel even more in hospitality.
“We missed a quality mark that reflects the hospitality across the entire hospitality industry. Every level deserves recognition,” says hospitality expert Jeannine Sok, who, together with Sven Heijkoop, is the initiator of the very first hospitality quality mark for the hospitality industry: ‘Gezellig’.
During the week of the hospitality industry and on the third day of the Gastvrij Rotterdam fair, the name for the quality mark was unveiled, and plans for a top 100 of hospitable hospitality businesses and a magazine were announced.
Excelling in hospitality
"With this quality mark, we want to encourage hospitality businesses to excel in hospitality and show their guests that they are committed to providing the best possible experience," says Jeannine Sok. "There should be more attention for the ladies and gentlemen at the ‘front’,” believes Sven Heijkoop. “This quality mark will not only help exceed guests' expectations but will also contribute to the professionalisation of the hospitality industry."
Mystery visits by students
To assess hospitality, both hospitality experts have drawn up a checklist with several points. Through mystery visits, hospitality businesses that wish to qualify for the quality mark are visited. A pilot will soon start. Students from Drenthe College in Emmen will carry out these mystery visits.
Partners and independent quality mark
In addition, Albeda in Rotterdam, De Rooi Pannen in Eindhoven, ROC Nijmegen, and ROC van Twente have pledged their cooperation. As have various partners and companies from the hospitality industry such as the Week of the Hospitality Industry, the MBO Raad, Emixion, SVH, Gastvrij Rotterdam, Horecava, FNV, Bidfood Nederland, Brinks CoffeeRoasters, Marie Stella Maris, VHC, and Wijnkooperij De Lange. “We want to be an independent quality mark, so we are looking for more partners to promote the quality mark widely.”
A great initiative for the entire profession
Thérèse Boer from the three-star restaurant De Librije in Zwolle is an ambassador for the hospitality quality mark. “It is a great initiative that I am happy to embrace,” says the SVH Master Hostess/SVH Wine Master. She finds the name ‘Gezellig’ accessible and well applicable to the entire field of hospitality. “Nowadays, guests want good food and drink and to have a good time. Hospitality is an important part of the experience.”
Magazine and top 100 in 2024
The initiators of the new quality mark want to publish a consumer magazine next year in which they will announce the top 100 most hospitable hospitality businesses in the Netherlands. A website is also being developed where more information about the quality mark will soon be available.
About Jeannine Sok and Sven Heijkoop
Jeannine Sok is the owner of Gastologie in Nijmegen. Through this hospitality philosophy and training method she developed, she helps people optimise hospitality. She is the creator of the board game Gastologie and author of several books such as ‘How Hospitable Are You?’. Sven Heijkoop is maître, sommelier, and itinerant footman at the Royal Household.