When Rwanda Development Board (RDB) discovered that Château Le Marara hotel was operating without a valid license and consequently ordered its temporary closure on July 21, 2025, I was reminded that there are other areas requiring RDB’s intervention—as well as greater awareness and improvement among hoteliers. One of these areas is the naming of accommodation establishments. ALSO READ: Château Le Marara authorised to operate Indeed, a tour around Kigali and other parts of Rwanda reveals that some guesthouses are labelled as “lodges” or “motels.” Anyone with knowledge of accommodation classification standards would immediately recognize the inconsistency. It is striking to see highly rated lodges located in or near national parks—such as Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park, and Volcanoes National Park—including establishments like Wilderness Bisate Lodge, Mantis Akagera Game Lodge, and One&Only Nyungwe House, while at the same time finding modest urban guesthouses in Kigali using the same designation. ALSO READ: Guidelines for classification of tourism facilities launched At a glance, this suggests that some hoteliers may lack awareness of both international and domestic criteria for naming and classifying accommodation establishments, including those set out in Rwanda’s legal and regulatory framework. A key reference is Ministerial Order No. 26 of 14/09/2016 issued by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, which establishes standards for grading tourism entities under the 2014 law regulating the tourism industry (currently under review). This Order clearly defines what constitutes a lodge, a motel, and other types of accommodation. For example, under Article 2(4), a lodge is defined as “an accommodation establishment located within or near a natural habitat rich in fauna and flora, in which the majority of clients are leisure seekers.” By contrast, Article 2(5) defines a motel as “an accommodation establishment located along a highway or motorway, catering mainly to motorists.” Indeed, the term “motel” originates from “motor hotel,” referring specifically to facilities designed for road travellers. It is therefore evident that the key criteria for naming an establishment as a lodge or a motel are not based on the number of rooms or size, but rather on location and target clientele. Consequently, a guesthouse in a Kigali neighbourhood—or in many other parts of the country—does not qualify to be called a “lodge” unless it is situated within or near a natural environment characterized by wildlife, forests, or similar ecosystems. In Kigali, only a few areas—such as Mount Kigali or the Rebero woodland—might potentially meet such criteria, particularly for eco-lodges designed to support conservation with minimal environmental impact. Similarly, unless an accommodation establishment is located along major roads—such as national or district highways—and equipped to serve motorists, including providing adequate parking space, it should not be classified as a “motel.” Beyond lodges and motels, there is also a growing tendency to misuse the term “resort” in Kigali and elsewhere. By definition, resorts are recreational destinations offering a wide range of leisure and entertainment services. But some establishments adopt this label without providing the expected amenities, such as swimming pools, sports facilities, spas, playgrounds, or other recreational features that support relaxation and enjoyment. On August 20, 2025, RDB convened a consultative meeting with stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality sector to raise awareness, strengthen collaboration, and promote compliance with regulations—all aimed at improving service quality and operational standards. It is my view that similar platforms should also be used to build the capacity of hoteliers regarding the proper naming and classification of accommodation establishments. As the regulator of the tourism and hospitality sector, RDB is responsible for issuing operating licenses, conducting inspections, and taking action against non-compliant operators. These same powers can be used to ensure that wrongly named lodges, motels, and resorts are reclassified appropriately—whether as guesthouses, inns, bed-and-breakfasts, or pension houses. Moreover, local government authorities, including the City of Kigali administration, should support RDB in ensuring that only establishments meeting the required standards are permitted to operate under specific classifications such as “lodge,” “motel,” or “resort.” Hoteliers and prospective investors in the tourism and hospitality sector are also encouraged to seek professional guidance to ensure compliance and avoid operational and regulatory risks. Rwanda deserves excellence, and that includes getting the basics right. Bernard Nsanzimana is a practicing lawyer specializing in tourism, environment, real estate, and mining law. He is also an academician and researcher, currently working with University of Rwanda (since 2012).
