Finally government has provided money for the hotel classification, a stamp of quality that consumers will rely on. The framework allows the award of one to five stars based on the quality of services and amenities provided. In this case Five Star will denote top of the range. “Times are gone for individual hotel owners to declare their facility a star of their preference,” said the acting director Ministry of Tourism Grace Akullo Mbabazi. “The country has a lot of to benefit from this hospitality service providers grading. Worldwide hotels are classified in some way.” This was revealed during a refresher workshop of 15 graders at the Uganda Museum, this week, before they embark on the exercise in Kampala and Entebbe for a start. “Once in place, the cheating of tourists by hotel owners will be no more,” stressed Akullo. “With information on our website, Uganda will ably compete with its neighboring countries in the East Africa Community (EAC) where accommodation facilities have been classified.” That way the EAC will be able come up with standard charges added Akullo. This comes long after hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, in 2007, when grading was first proposed. The facilitator Blandina Nshakira who has been instrumental in training of trainers in Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania said, “Grading is long overdue if the region is to attract and satisfy tourist from UK, USA, China and Saudi Arabia. They have sophisticated tastes.” However as the grading takes off, there have been careless whispers of resource shortage and lack of equipment. The team of 15 assessors have only two cameras and are destined to be availed sh100, 000 for every day and sh12000 night allowance they spend doing the exercise. Some complainants, on terms of anonymity, revealed that they come from as far as Jinja and Entebbe. “You cannot get decent accommodation with a total upkeep of sh100000,” one voiced her views. “Will this not compromise our decision while in the field where a meal goes for sh30,000 and bedding costs $200.” Talking to members of Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA) was a revelation that most of them determine what they charge in comparison to rates of rival service providers. “I have never sat down to calculate how much I spend to make a resident comfortable for a night in my hotels,” confided Boniface Byamukama. “But all I know is that the charge comprises of bed, dinner and breakfast.” However, hotel classification across the world is not similar. According to Nshakira star rating systems can vary from global region to another or from country to country. In a new development, the four-star ceiling of old has given way in some places to a five-star rating. And lately this has been over taken by six- and seven-star ratings for hotels in Europe and the United Arab Emirates. “Much as Serena Hotel or Sheraton Hotel may be rated as five star or more,” paused Nshakira for the point to drive home. “They will have to undergo our checks and meet our desired standards to be operational in the region.” “There are guidelines for Home stay service providers, Restaurants, Guest Houses, Hostels and Camping Caravan sites.” Adding that, “Our EAC classification covers physical and tangible characteristics of accommodation. These comprise; location, dimension of rooms, supplies in the bathrooms, frequency of change of linen and elegance.” There is a strict criterion of requirements for Hotels, Guest Houses, Self Catering, Back Parkers and Home Stay service providers before submitting an application for grading. The location of the establishment should suitable. Its entrance must be easily accessible for delivery and by the clients besides being built in accordance to the laws. The facility ought to have at least ten beds rooms. Its corridors and stair cases must be spacious. They ought to have a good number of bell boys should be available for 18 hours per day. The above and consumer feedback on social media will be considered while being graded. A random tour of hotels in Uganda was a revelation of many establishments operating without most of the requirements in the guidelines.
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Day 1 On arrival at Libreville spend the day at your own leisure. visit the local market, enjoy a swim in the beautiful sea or simply relax at your hotel. Overnight: Hotel Tropicana a well known local hotel situated on the seafront offering tasty local cuisine. Day 2 Visit Cap Esterias to see the beautiful sand beaches having coconut trees with a shoreline covering several kilometers. On the other hand visit Pointe Denis situated opposite Libreville; and there explore the spectacular pristine beaches and even swim in the clear blue waters whenever you want. Later in the day catch the Transgabonais Express, head south to Ivindo. This Transgabonais is an excursion in itself, hardly ever reaching its destination in time it’s an experience worth not missing. Overnight: at Transgabonais Express. Don’t anticipate getting a lot sleep tonight! Day 3 On arrival at Ivindo you will clean up at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) headquarters before going for a drive in the forest. This 3 hour drive in a 4WD vehicle takes you to the finish of the track and the beginning of your walk heading to Langoue Camp. On this slippery climb you will move the first 30 minutes as soon as you arrive at the peak it is a stunning walk through this beautiful forest. You will be lucky to explore this region; only discovered a couple of years ago, most of the animals that you see within this area are entirely naïve to humankind. In case you still have stamina upon arrival, you can visit Langoue Bai after lunch. Overnight: WCS research camp. A reasonably old-fashioned camp comprised of tents raised on wooden platforms placed in the middle of the 2nd biggest rainforest on the planet. Amenities are basic however comfortable with bucket-showers (warm water may be prepared on request). At night sit with the researchers and find out about the forest and the Bai as well as the surrounding region. Days 4, 5, 6 You will spend the next days at Langoué Bai. It is an one hour’s walk from your camp having a steep hill towards the end. 3 platforms within the trees on the fringe of the bai offer an perfect location for viewing wildlife. Guides will accompany you as you go to the bai as well as on the forest walks. These paths close to Langoué go through magnificent tropical forest with amazingly large trees and great biodiversity. Animals like the red river hogs, monkeys, as well as birds and sometimes gorillas plus chimpanzees can occasionally be viewed while walking in the forest. Elephants plus gorillas are periodic visitors to this bai. Elephants are best seen in the rainy season (from April to June and from November to January), while gorilla are best seen from April to July. Please be aware that they are wild animals and seeing them is not guaranteed. It is a real adventure! Overnight: WCS research camp. A reasonably old-fashioned camp comprised of tents raised on wooden platforms placed in the middle of the 2nd biggest rainforest on the planet. Amenities are basic however comfortable with bucket-showers (warm water may be prepared on request). At night sit with the researchers and find out about the forest and the Bai as well as the surrounding region. Day 7 After breakfast, head to a local airstrip. Following the Two hours walk from the forest you will have a three hours drive to the airstrip to catch your departure flight. After roughly a 1.5 hours flight over Central Africa’s forests you will reach at Loango National Park during the early evening. Spend this evening unwinding and taking advantage of the hot and cold water, air conditioning plus the gorgeous view over the lagoon as you enjoy dinner. Overnight: Loango Lodge with 7 bungalows having en-suite bathrooms plus showers and 3 nice suites having en-suite bathrooms and bath. Additionally you will find a 2 bedroom house having 2 bathrooms plus a living area, well suited for families. Each of the bungalows plus suites has a fan, safe, screen window, a mini-bar and air-conditioning. Their restaurant has a sizeable sun terrace plus a library having a wide-ranging variety of books about Gabon, its wildlife and birds. The paillotte within the lagoon offers the choice of dining privately. Day 8 Following breakfast at the lodge, you’ll visit Loango National Park in a 4WD Vehicle, kayak or simply on foot. You’ll discover the attractiveness of this reserve and its varied landscapes as well as wildlife. Alternative activities we provide include sport-fishing with our expert equipment and well trained guides, or even a village tour in the neighboring Ntchongerove village as well as the Okoume Forest. Our guides who are eco-friendly will explain to you how the locals have managed to survive inside this forest and you’ll observe how the local population goes about the day to day activities. Myths, plus the medical purposes of plants plus trees as well as other secret treasures will be unveiled to you on this unique experience. We as well provide you with the special opportunity of joining a research teams as they carry out their research on crocodiles, whales and leatherback turtles (basing on the time of the year). Overnight: Loango Lodge with 7 bungalows having en-suite bathrooms plus showers and 3 nice suites having en-suite bathrooms and bath. Additionally you will find a 2 bedroom house having 2 bathrooms plus a living area, well suited for families. Each of the bungalows plus suites has a fan, safe, screen window, a mini-bar and air-conditioning. Their restaurant has a sizeable sun terrace plus a library having a wide-ranging variety of books about Gabon, its wildlife and birds. The paillotte within the lagoon offers the choice of dining privately. Day 9 Following breakfast head out in a 4×4 jeeps and go southwest to Tassi or Louri area, and the drive takes roughly 1.5 hours. On this drive you might see animals like elephants, sitatunga, red river hogs and buffaloes plus birds. Tassi bush camp is located on the savannah, flanked by a primary plus secondary forest. If lucky you may see chimpanzees or even gorillas. In Tassi Sud, just 30 minutes drive from Tassi Bush Camp, you will find the Max Planck Institute which conducts a crucial habituation process with these various primates. From Tassi you will have an excursion to Louri. There you will get an opportunity of seeing buffaloes plus elephants moving along the beach: a very impressive sight which is trait to Loango National Park! Overnight: Tassi with 5 tents placed on sundecks having private bathrooms and bucket showers plus a toilet. Every tent features comfortable beds plus chairs as well as a private terrace. These tents are well spaced from each other offering utmost privacy. Their restaurant is constructed on a platform that offers breathtaking views of the surroundings which can be enjoyed as you have your breakfast, lunch as well as dinner. Day 10 From Tassi close to lunchtime, you will discuss with the guide how you wish to explore the other areas of the park; by kayak across the lagoon, on foot to the mangroves, or by ‘houseboat’ to the Bat plus Bird Island. We as well provide you with the special opportunity of joining a research teams as they carry out their research on crocodiles, whales and leatherback turtles (basing on the time of the year). Overnight: Loango Lodge with 7 bungalows having en-suite bathrooms plus showers and 3 nice suites having en-suite bathrooms and bath. Additionally you will find a 2 bedroom house having 2 bathrooms plus a living area, well suited for families. Each of the bungalows plus suites has a fan, safe, screen window, a mini-bar and air-conditioning. Their restaurant has a sizeable sun terrace plus a library having a wide-ranging variety of books about Gabon, its wildlife and birds. The paillotte within the lagoon offers the choice of dining privately. Day 11 Unwind at the lodge all morning or conversely visit the beautiful beach camp at Point St. Catherine (around 30 minutes). The camp is located on a gorgeous part of the beach north of Loango National Park. Some activities to enjoy include: fishing Swimming and shell seeking. You can as well, just unwind here and enjoy the beautiful beach to yourself. After lunch, catch a charter flight returning along the spectacular coastline to Libreville and there you will take your international flight home. Japan is undoubtedly one of the best culinary countries in the world and sushi is the first dish that strikes our mind. However, the Japanese cuisine includes varied things like fresh vegetables, meat, and seafood raw, cooked and grilled. The side dishes often consist of fish, pickled vegetables, and vegetables cooked in broth. The must try foods are:
Today’s world has seen a lot of travelers making their way to different cities and countries in the need for finding out about their culture and looking for options to enjoy new cuisines. The travelling needs are increasing as people understand that traveling makes you rich and enhances your wisdom. It also increases your knowledge in a lot of ways. The most popular and one of the most preferred destination these days in Greece. Though Greece is not a new entry, in fact Greece has been home to travelers ever since it was built. Greece is one of the oldest countries in the world. Greece is known to be in existence since the Bronze Age. Greece has respondent well to all the developments and is now a proud country which is self-sufficient. Greece is open to tourism and has easy and friendly polices to ensure that more and more tourists visit the place. The Greece National Tourists Organization ensures that the country gets its fair share or more of tourists each year. Greece and the Tourists Tourism started bustling in Greece in 1960’s and 1970’s which are called the ear of mass tourism in Greece. The place is known to have made infrastructural changes to ensure that tourists get desired places to stay. The Greece land has been rich in culture and even though it does not have the world’s most preferred cuisine it sure allows a change of taste to many. There are many continental eateries that allow tourists to eat what they like when they are on holiday and not have to compromise on food. Greece has been home to eh 2004 Olympics and after that year there have been many changes in the infrastructure to provide five star facilities to the guests from the west. Greece has plethora of opportunities that attracts most of the tourists. It must however, be kept in mind when in Greece that he place may allow you to get lost in its beauty and thus keep a little extra time in your plan to enjoy an extended stay which is often seen here. Greece allows a magnificent tour that has everything in it. There are beaches, sunsets, monuments, museums, scenery and relaxation. When one is on holiday it is advised that it should be divided in a way that everyone gets a fair share of what they want. Greece has been seen making growth over the years, a place that was way ahead of time has somehow managed to keep pace with all the changes making it even more desirable. Greece was the birth place of Democracy and Olympics, it is known to the base of western philosophy and thus is so strong in its foundation that even with all the changes there are still traces of rich culture. People from Greece are friendly and open to the idea of foreign tourists. It is a place that one brings back a lot of memories and also a place that allows falling in love with something magnificent that will remain a memory for life. |