Serena Hotel Kigali has received a fresh ranking officially as a five star hotel among the 50 hotels destinations yesterday.
Radisson Blu Kigali and Kigali Marriott Hotel also upheld their international mark among the only three five star hotels in the country.
Former Nyungwe Forest Lodge, now Nyungwe House believed to be a five star did not appear on the list.
New market entrants Sabyinyo Silver Back, Gorilla Golf Hotel, La Palisse Nyamata, Ubumwe Grand Hotel, Lemigo Hotel and one of Rwanda’s oldest hotel- Hotel des Mille Collines scooped a 4-star rank.
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) said that grading of the hotels was a result of fulfilling required procedures and standards after the Ministerial order regulating tourism operating licenses and the grading of tourism entities came into effect on October 3rd 2016.
“We are convinced that this new development will warrant a more vibrant industry; enhance stakeholder competitiveness and widespread success.
The tourism operating licenses will also enhance transparency, accountability and proper standardisation of the industry, maintaining the country’s front row position as a desirable tourism destination,” said Clare Akamanzi, the RDB Chief Executive Officer.
(c)Clare Akamanzi, the RDB Chief Executive Officer presenting 5-star award to Hotel des Mille Collines
Rwanda’s current ranking as the leading tourist destination in Africa as awarded by the World Travel Awards calls for action such as this one in order to maintain this providential position.
Rwanda’s tourism industry has grown rapidly in the past few years. The number of hotel rooms and tour operators has grown from 680 hotel rooms and 5 tour companies in 2003 to about 10,000 rooms and 63 tour companies currently registered with Rwanda Tours and Travel Association (RTTA).
Belise Kariza, the Chief Tourism Officer at RDB said that the policies have enabled stakeholders to ensure that they maintain high quality standards, consistently improve quality of service and enhance efforts in training private sector stakeholders.
On top of ranking hotels yesterday, RDB announced introduction of tourism-operating license to support the regulation of tourism entities. 67 tourism entities were licensed.
