Common Classification Criteria for Tourism Accommodation Establishments and Restaurants

Posted in Tourism & Wildlife Management

The EAC has developed a Common Classification Criteria for various categories of tourism accommodation establishments and restaurants which were adopted in 2009. The criteria aim at standardizing services offered by the accommodation facilities in the region.

The categories of accommodation that are covered by the classification criteria include:

• Town Hotels;
• Vacation Hotels;
• Lodges;
• Tented Camps;
• Motels;
• Villas, Cottages and Serviced Apartments.

The EAC Partner States have undertaken classification and 906 establishments are already star rated across the region as highlighted below:

The criteria are currently under review to ensure that they take into account the emerging trends in the tourism and hospitality sector.  Following a directive by the Sectoral Council on Tourism and Wildlife Management, the Panel of Experts on Classification Criteria for tourism accommodation establishments and restaurants supported by international Tourism Expert has commenced the process of review the criteria.

Following a Regional and National Consultative Meetings held in 2022, the panel of experts reviewed and validated the criteria for five categories of tourism accommodation establishments, namely, Hotels; Resorts; Lodges; Tented Camps; and Villas, Cottages and Apartments. In addition, draft Criteria for Motels;  Boutique and Heritage Hotels: and Restaurants have been developed and are expected to be validated by March 2023. 

Training of Hotel Classification Assessors

The EAC Partner States continue to train Hotel Classification Assessors with guidance from the EAC Secretariat. Between April and May 2022, the United Republic of Tanzania trained 42 additional trainee assessors. The marking of the exams has commenced but not finalized. Currently, there are about 100 EAC Certified Assessors. The training is based on an 8-week training programme that covers all the key aspects of service provision in tourism accommodation establishments and restaurants. Review of the programme will also be undertaken in order to be in tandem with the Reviewed Criteria for the Classification of Tourism Accommodation Establishments and Restaurants.

Minimum Standards for Tourism Service Providers

With support from GIZ, the EAC has developed minimum standards for Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Tourist Guides, Community Based Tourism Enterprises (CBTEs) and Tourist Attraction Sites. The Standards were adopted by the 10^th Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Tourism and Wildlife Management and will be submitted to the Council of Ministers for final approval.