The Department of Tourism has certified more than two hundred non-star hotels out of nearly three hundred hotels assessed. This comes after the recent approval by the Cabinet, allowing non-star hotels to offer services to tourists as long as they meet the minimum standards set by the department. Since the reopening of tourism in the country last September, the department notified that only certified hotels would be permitted to cater to tourists. The decision aimed to ensure and enhance the overall tourist experience.
While the department of tourism has been working to assess the hotels, due to a shortage of manpower, more than 60 hotels are still waiting to be assessed.
According to the director general, the assessment for the remaining hotels will begin soon despite the manpower challenges.
“Right now, we have divided the work but we are facing a manpower shortage. However, we will begin the assessment works as soon as possible,” said Dorji Dhradhul, the director general of the department of tourism.
The DG added that the certification process is carried out to ensure that tourists get the high-value experience promised by the tourism policy of high-value low volume and not to highlight star ratings.
He further added that the initiative is expected to play a crucial role in reviving the country’s economy.
“This is intended for economic revival. The Department of Tourism will be assessing the quality of the non-star hotels and ensure that the hotels meet the minimum standards,” said the DG.
The tourism department has a list of criteria that the hotels will be required to meet such as hygiene, cleanliness, comfort, safety, amenities and services. And only upon meeting the criteria, will the hotels qualify for star I and star II hotels.
There are over 500 registered non-star hotels in the country.
Tashi Yangden
Edited by Sonam Pem
