By David Mugabe
Results of the hotel classification process will be announced this Friday.
The exercise that has been ongoing for about two years will for the first time place hotels at regional and global positions in terms of their level of service, skills and product offer. The hotels will be classified in the various quality categories of 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 star hotels.
The exercise has been done by Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) with support from the tourism ministry.
“Using the transparent criteria adopted in all East African countries, 73 hotels in and around Kampala were inspected. UTB is pleased to announce that of the 73 hotels, 29 have qualified for hotel stars,” said John Ssempebwa, UTB deputy chief executive.
The inaugural hotel stars awards night will be officiated by the prime minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda at the Kampala Serena Hotel on June 26.
Over 200 hotel owners and managers are expected to grace the event at which high quality hotels shall receive plaques of excellence from the government.
The move is another positive step in the hospitality industry that is expected to boost the tourism industry that is now the number foreign exchange earner for the country. Accommodation constitutes a crucial segment of the hospitability industry and the level of comfort a traveller finds in the sleeping and food usually determines their level of satisfaction. It is also usually the most costly segment of the travel budget.
“We believe that hotel classification will significantly increase consumer expectations from hotels, as well as the quality of service in Uganda’s hotels,” said Ssempebwa.
Hotels shall be able to use the provided plaques in attracting and retaining discerning customers.
“The days when a hotel claimed to be a five star and charged highly are over,” noted Ssempebwa. He warned that hotels found claiming to have quality levels [stars] they have not earned shall face severe punishment.
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/670152-uganda-s-hotel-grading-complete-5-star-hotels-set-to-be-recognized.html
