Hotels graded ahead of SEA Games

The Vientiane Tourism Department began grading hotels in Vientiane on Wednesday in an effort to improve hospitality standards and provide SEA Games' guests with tip-top service.

Mr Khamkhoun Maylaty ( second right ) and the evaluation team comb the Mekong Hotel's lobby and quiz staff.

The evaluation team, led by Department Deputy Director Khamkhoun Maylaty, included representatives from the Vientiane Information and Culture and Public Health departments and the Police Headquarters. Staff from the Vientiane Urban Development and Administration Authority visited the Mekong Hotel in Sithan-Neua village, Sikhottabong district.

Mr Khamkhoun said yesterday was the first day of evaluations aimed at providing better services for visitors to Laos .

“The objective of the hospitality rating is to lift services to international standards, to protect the virtues of business, justice and reason, and to ensure guests are secure during their stay,” he said.

During the visit, the Mekong Hotel Deputy Director briefed the team before both hotel staff and the team visited each section of the hotel.

“The rules state that a hotel can request a certain number of stars from the tourism department. The department will then gather police, culture, health and municipal officials to visit the hotel and judge how many stars should be allocated,” Mr Khamkhoun said.

He said the Mekong Hotel had requested a rating of three stars. The department is checking the hotel to determine whether or not it meets this standard.

Yesterday, the department also visited the Novotel and will determine the star rating of more than 10 hotels in Vientiane .

“We plan to assess each hotel day by day and hope to complete the process soon,” he said.

The department awards stars to hotels and champa flowers to guesthouses.

“For guesthouses, between one and three flowers will be awarded depending on the standard of their services.”

He said the awards system will improve the hospitality industry ahead of the SEA Games in December.

The Lao National Tourism Administration reached an agreement on ratings for hotels and guesthouses in 2007. Implementation began last year but the hospitality industry is not yet familiar with the new system.

“This year, Laos will host the 25th SEA Games, which is motivating us and businesses to ensure high service standards,” Mr Khamkhoun said.

 

By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
April 2, 2009

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