The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) recently undertook a nationwide grading and classification exercise of its hospitality industry for the first time in five years.

The first phase of the exercise began on August 1 and will run until September 4, and will be conducted around Kampala, Entebbe, Jinja, Masaka, Mbarara, Fort- portal and Mbale.

Lilly Ajarova, CEO of UTB, revealed that the exercise was in fulfilment of UTB’s mandate to carry out quality assurance of the tourism sector as indicated in the Tourism Act 2008.

Susan Muhwezi, Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA) Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of UTB, explained that UHOA and the private sector were fully in support of the exercise and urged hoteliers to participate for the good of the industry.

She said grading would add value to their investments through increased marketing of the facilities within the accredited grades. She explained that the exercise was a vital component of marketing Uganda as a competitive tourism destination that observed good standards for visitor enjoyment.

Field assessment teams have received ICT equipment that is preloaded with an automated E-classification system, making it efficient and effective to carry out their work seamlessly.

There are no fees involved for hotels and participation in the exercise is voluntary, although it is currently under review with a possibility of making it mandatory for all hotels in the sector.