Hoteliers urged to join umbrella association

The Executive Secretary of the Tourism Chamber at the Private Sector Federation (PSF), Bart Gasana has expressed concern over the sluggishness shown by hospitality service providers in joining their association, Rwanda Hotel and Restaurant Association (RHRA). “This association was formed for you and if you do not work towards making it serve the purpose it was created for, it simply means it was created for no reason,” Gasana said. It is a way of advocacy and protecting business because Rwanda’s door is open to the East African community so we want to support our business. He made the remarks during the association’s general assembly that took place in Kigali at the weekend. Repeated calls from the association for hotel, bar and restaurant operators to join the association as one of the ways through which service delivery can be improved in their work places has not yielded much. Information from the association indicates that only 37 operators have fully been registered as members, out of over 270 operators that have so far been identified. Two months back, it had only 19 members that had fulfilled the requirements, but although there has been an increase, association officials say that it is not enough. “This is a shame, members are not even half of those who are in our records,” said Dennis Karera, the association`s chairperson.He explained that slow commitment is frustrating the association`s plans. Karera warned that the fight against poor customer care can never be won if operators work in isolation.

National

Hoteliers urged to join umbrella association