Kandie unveils plans to attract high-end tourists

The government will soon begin classifying hotels and restaurants in Kenya in a bid to improve tourism.

Cabinet Secretary for Tourism Phyllis Kandie said failure of the process in the past has negatively affected the sector.

The classification exercise enables tourists choose the kind of hotel or restaurant they want.

Mrs Kandie, said they will soon appoint the board of the new Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA), expected to improve standards in the sector.

“TRA will help us regulate the hotel sub-sector to improve standards and services,” Mrs Kandie said.

“When hotels are of high standards, we shall attract high-end holidaymakers and boost earnings from the industry,” she added.
“The board will soon be in place to oversee the classification of hotels and restaurants across the country.”

In 2010, the government embarked on the process but the exercise was not concluded due to lack of funds.

CLASSIFIED HOTELS

The defunct Hotels and Restaurants Authority classified hotels from One-Star to Five-Star, based on the quality of standards and services offered.

The government has not classified hotels since 2002 and this has contributed to falling standards.

Mrs Kandie called on hotel owners to improve their facilities to meet international standards saying: “When hotels offer quality services they attract more tourists.”

Mombasa and Coast Tourist Association (MCTA) chairman Mohamed Hersi called on the government to expedite appointment of the board to address the challenge non-classification of hotels has brought about.

“The exercise will help improve standards and services,” Hersi said.