Harmonisation of regional standards delays hotel grading

The grading of hotels in the country has been delayed by Rwanda’s intention to harmonise with regional standards, Vincent Karega, State Minister of Industry and Investment Promotion has said. All hotels in the country were expected to be graded and classified according to certain parameters including their accommodation capacities and services by the end of this year. The grading system which focuses on consumer perspective and on accommodation properties, would give tourists intending to visit Rwanda clear and detailed guidelines to hospitality services in the country. Karega explained that initially, the country was to carryout its own grading but since joining the EAC economic bloc last year, it is necessary to grade in harmony with the region’s legal requirements. The EAC Secretariat has for the last few months held meetings with the regional bureaus of standard on harmonisation of all standards among partner states. The star classification is a common system for rating hotels. The higher the star ratings, the better the hospitality services. The minister said that grading and classification will be done according to international standards basing on regional legal requirements by a competent firm. He however did not give details of the firm contracted. But early this year, two companies; Triple A, a UK based company and Aljazeera from Arab Emirates had been short listed for the grading. A comment from Rwanda Bureau of Standard (RBS) had not been obtained by press time. The initiative is under the support of Ministry of Commerce in collaboration with RBS and the National Office of Tourism and National Parks (ORTPN). Ends

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Harmonisation of regional standards delays hotel grading