Tourism Board resumes classification, rating of hotels in Uganda
Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has resumed the classification and rating of hotels around the country. Speaking on Wednesday, the UTB CEO, Lilly Ajarova said the exercise is in fulfillment of one of their mandates to carry out quality assurance of the tourism sector.
"UTB enforces and monitors standards as well as to register, inspect, license and classify tourism enterprises," Ajarova said.
She said the exercise aligns the country and tourism players to the provisions of article 115(2) of the East African Treaty where 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.
The East African Community, standards criteria for the classification of hotels, restaurants, and other tourist facilities were gazetted in 2009 to encourage and maintain quality standards in products and services being delivered to tourists in East Africa.
According to the Uganda Tourism Act 2008, accommodation facilities are classified as lodges, motels, restaurants, guest houses, tented camps, town hotels, vacation hotels, villas, cottages and serviced apartments.
Factors like location, size of rooms, restaurants, interior décor, guest rooms, bathrooms, suites, hygiene, safety, security and human resource are also considered while classifying facilities according to stars.
Speaking on Wednesday, Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA) Chairperson and Vice Chairperson Board of UTB, Susan Muhwezi welcomed the exercise and urged hoteliers to participate for the good of the industry.
She said grading will add value to their investments through increased marketing of the facilities within the accredited grades.
Muhwezi explained that the exercise is a vital component of marketing Uganda as a competitive tourism destination that observes good standards for visitor enjoyment.
Broadford Ochieng, the UTB deputy CEO said they are working tirelessly to tick off all the five "As" of tourism including attractions, amenities, activities, accessibility and accommodation.
He explained that accommodation was one of the important components in streaming standards that make Uganda competitive destination.
Jean Byamugisha, the UHOA Executive Director noted that grading is important in aligning the industry to international standards as well as manage guest expectation ant it supports the pricing systems of hotels.
It will therefore create a positive impact because of the improved quality of tourism products and services offered to tourists.
