Classification of hotels to market Kenya as a destination: Balala

The Ministry of Tourim and Wildlife is betting big on the classification tourism facilities to improve the competitiveness of Kenya as a destination.

Speaking Wednesday while awarding over 50 classified hotels across the country, Tourism CS Najib Balala applauded the ongoing efforts of the classification scheme saying it will go along way in boosting the already improving industry figures.

The process is being undertaken by Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA).

“This exercise will increase the competitiveness of Kenya as a destination. It is instructive to note that the national classification program was an inclusive process that involved the active participation of the county governments and industry stakeholders,” he said.

The Authority undertook a nationwide classification exercise which covered Nyanza, Western, North Rift, South Rift, Mt Kenya Region and the greater Nairobi Region. Also the lower Eastern and Coastal Region tourist circuit, the exercise was done between February 2015 and December 2017.

This exercise saw 173 establishments classified in the said period and so far TRA has issued 25 plaques and certificates to some of the classified establishments in line with the Tourism Regulatory Authority Regulations, 2014.

The authority issued 53 classified hotels with plaques and certificates Wednesday.

The authority collaborated with county governments to capacity build the industry stakeholders through sensitization and training programs on quality management systems and the EAC classification process. It was during such trainings that the county government’s key role in provision of the basic infrastructure necessary for ensuring quality and important aspects in classification assessments were underscored.

This includes the counties contribution in proving accessibility to tourism facilities, public sanitation, water supply and waste management among others. The national award ceremony is therefore a sure testimony of a wonderful collective venture between the public and the private sector who have made this momentous achievement possible.

Mrs. Fatuma Hirsi Mohamed, CBS Principal Secretary State Department of Tourism, stated that the National Classification and Grading is an undertaking that requires substantial financial and human resources.

It is against this backdrop that the Tourism Regulatory Authority successfully established a specific budget item for Quality Assurance and Classification for Governments funds allocation.

In addition, the Authority, through the state department of Tourism, initiated strategic partnerships and collaborations with various government institutions whose functions are aligned to its’ core mandate as part of resource mobilization.

Mr. Sammy Nyule Ngumbao Chairman of the Tourism Regulatory Authority said that the Authority has put in place the necessary legal instruments incorporating the EAC Classification Standard Criteria into the national laws conferring precedents over the national classification system this was enacted through the published Tourism Regulatory Authority Regulations, 2014.

Thus, the EAC Classification Standards Criteria has the force of law in Kenya. The harmonized EAC Classification Standardazation Criteria therefore provided the framework within which Tourism enterprises are assessed and star rated country wide.

Similarly, establishments that may not qualify for grading shall be accredited on the basis of their compliance with set minimum standards as mandatory regulatory requirement aimed at improving the quality of products and services offered throughout the country. The Authority will continue to implement several strategies and appropriate intervention that will ensure efficient and effective Tourism sector Regulation.

According to the Director General of TRA Kipkorir Langat was speaking at The Boma Hotel during the Award Ceremony said “Over the past two years we have classified 179 establishments which are receiving their plaques and certificates today. He said “The classification and Standardization exercise commenced in the year 2015”.

Mr. Kipkorir further said” “I am encouraging all tourism stakeholders, especially the accommodation and catering sectors to embrace the classification exercise and support the Authority in ensuring that the Regulations and the minimum standards in place are adopted and fully implemented to ensure quality and a sustainable tourism sector.”

TRA has just concluded a classification exercise of 170 Hotels in Nairobi, Mombasa, North and South Rift Kilifi, Nakuru, Kajiado, and Mount Kenya Region.