Tourism sector players have been urged to gladly support and embrace the classification of their different facilitates as stipulated in the law.
This call was made the Uganda Tourism Board Executive Director Dr. Lilly Ajarova during the handover of plaques to the 35 hotels that participated in the recent national hotel certification and grading.
Ajarova clearly stated that the board is going to get tough on unclassified facilities as it’s the only way government can be certain of the quality of services being offered to tourists.
“Government authorities like Uganda Tourism Board help to make sure that the quality of service offered right from the backdoor to the front is what it must be. So we cannot replace the customer experience rating on social media and other digital platforms with what we are doing. This is because we look into several aspects like the staffing, security among others. For example the customer experience rating will not find out how different hotel staff are treated. That’s why we need all facilities across the country to regularly get inspected, graded and classified.” Ajarova said adding that this initiative plays a big role in showcasing Uganda’s diverse hospitality offerings to the world.
Ajarova also expounded that by providing clear classifications, the board not only helps travelers make informed decisions about their accommodation options but also elevating the overall tourism experience in Uganda.
“For hotels, achieving a star rating signifies a commitment to excellence and quality service, while for travelers, it ensures peace of mind and confidence in their lodging choices. We Congratulate all the hotels that have received their star rating certificates. Cheers to raising the standard of hospitality in Uganda.” She noted.
The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is mandated by the Uganda Tourism Act (2008) to among others classifying accommodation facilities and stand-alone restaurants.
The grading and classification exercise will consider factors like location, size of the rooms, restaurants, interior décor, guest rooms, bathrooms, suites, hygiene, safety, security, and human resources, among others, leading to the facility being given a one-star, two-star, three-star, four-star, or five-star status.
The exercise also aligns the country and tourism players with the provisions of Article 115(2) of the East African Community Treaty. In the treaty, tourism is one of the identified sectors where partner states work together in a coordinated manner to develop the quality of accommodation and catering facilities for visitors within the region.
