Hotel grading system elates ZABS

THE Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) has welcomed the Statutory Instrument (SI) which provides for grading of hotels and lodges.

ZABS Executive Director, Manuel Mutale, said the grading system would promote commitment to attaining quality in the hospitality industry.

He was speaking in Lusaka. “The Bureau is pleased to have participated in the development of the standards for hotel grading which will improve the quality of service expected in the sector.

“As a member of the subcommittee for grading of hotels and lodges, we are happy that we were able to work with the Zambia Tourism Agency to have these standards approved to address the service expectations of the local and international clients,” he said.

Mr Mutale said just like any other sector, there was need to ensure consistency in service quality and this could only be achieved when standards were in place for the industry to follow.

“Our commitment is to continue collaborating with various stakeholders, like Government agencies, regulators and industry players to ensure that standards are developed in the various sectors of the economy, thereby creating a level playing field for businesses.

“This will also help consumers make an informed choice on the available facilities,” he said Tourism and Arts Minister, Charles Banda, launched the SI number 14 on hotel grading system in Kitwe recently. Some of the developed standards included the requirement to classify the hotels and lodges under categories, namely self-catering establishments, lodges and bush camps.