Stakeholders and Selected Auditors in the Republic of Congo have undergone a training program in the classification of hotel systems in the country’s capital Brazzaville.
The program which was the second session held was to help auditors gain insights and also acquaint themselves with the operations of hotel classification.
The session is part of a series of training which was initiated by the World Tourism Organization(UNWTO) to help develop hotel operations in the country.
The hotel classification project is the result of close tripartite collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and Recreation of Congo, UNDP, and UNWTO as part of the development of the Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy.
The Regional Director for Africa at UNWTO Elcia Grandcourt addressed the participants and highlighted the importance of training in the development of the tourism industry in the Republic of Congo.
‘’I am delighted that our project focused both on the design of the classification system and the conditions for its implementation (training of future auditors, development of procedures, governance, etc.) but also on the main innovations and principles, one of which relates to a better protection of the rights of tourists and consumers.’’ She said.
She underscored the importance of partnership and paid glowing tributes to the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). “I reiterate my sincere thanks to Mr. Maleye Diop, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for this key partnership which we enjoy today and through which we have once again been able to meet the expectations of one of our member states for the implementation of a key tool in terms of quality and tourism promotion.”
The Regional Director in a meeting with Congo’s Minister of Tourism and Leisure Madame Destinée Ermella Doukaga updated her on the status of the project and the next phase of it. She touched on Congo’s engagement with the UN Tourism body. She extended an invitation to the Regional Commission for Africa (CAF) and other events or the organization.
She said the UNWTO in addressing some of the challenges travellers go through in situation of crises has developed the code of ethics to lessen their burdens.’’In order to respond to the pandemic, the World Tourism Organization has developed, in collaboration with its member states, an International Code for the Protection of Tourists, a fundamental reference framework for the recovery of the sector and I invite you to make use of it.
