The Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA) has awarded prestigious star grading certifications to 36 accommodation establishments across the country, ranging from one to five stars. This announcement was made at the second edition of the Star Grading awards ceremony, underscoring the agency’s commitment to enhancing quality and competitiveness within Zambia’s tourism sector.
Speaking at the star grading award ceremony attended by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, ZTA Board Chairperson, Dan Blink, represented by Andrew Mwiinga, congratulated the recipients and emphasized the significance of the grading system. He stated that the initiative is “more than recognition as it is a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to quality, compliance, and competitiveness.” Mwiinga further highlighted that grading serves as a “strategic tool for building market trust, attracting investment, and global tourism.”
He also disclosed that ZTA has set a target to grade at least 50 accommodation establishments by the end of 2025, driven by increasing awareness of the importance of compliance.
Mwiinga expressed confidence in achieving this goal, noting that “star grading encourages continuous improvement, it motivates establishments to enhance their service and infrastructure further, raising the overall hospitality standard in the country.” He also emphasized the crucial role of a star-graded destination in achieving the national target of 2.2 million international arrivals by 2025, as it encourages longer stays and repeat visits.
ZTA Chief Executive Officer, Matongo Matamwandi, clarified the agency’s dual mandate of marketing Zambia as a tourism destination and regulating standards within the sector. He explained that ensuring consistent standards across all accommodation types is vital for the positive experiences of tourists attracted by their marketing efforts.
The Guest of Honour, Tourism Minister Rodney Sikumba, represented by his Permanent Secretary, Evans Muhanga, acknowledged the significant economic contribution of the tourism sector.
He urged all accommodation providers, including internationally branded hotels, to participate in the grading system to ensure a consistent global standard of service.
Muhanga also challenged local brands to strive for excellence and compete effectively with international counterparts, stressing that poor service can significantly hinder the sector’s growth. He affirmed the Ministry’s support for ZTA’s efforts in both marketing and standard regulation.
Muhanga encouraged ungraded establishments to participate in the system, highlighting that “the grading system just gives you the feedback and how you can improve going forward.” He reiterated the importance of increasing the number of graded establishments to 50 by the end of 2025 to showcase the quality of service and excellence within Zambia’s tourism sector. He concluded by emphasizing that grading provides an “official endorsement to the standards and services which opens doors to greater opportunities and enhanced reputation in the market.”
The Zambia Tourism Agency continues to drive its star grading initiative as a key strategy to elevate the country’s hospitality standards, build tourist confidence, and foster sustainable growth within the tourism sector.
