Lira, Uganda | URN | The government has called on the private sector in Lira City to urgently invest in hotel infrastructure as Uganda steps up preparations to host matches of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), warning that inadequate accommodation could derail the city’s chances of hosting international teams. …
Read More »AI is driving a new era in African hospitality
African hotel operators are moving beyond pilots, embedding AI to coordinate guest services, streamline workflows, and scale operations across the continent. Rising travel demand and tech-savvy guests are accelerating the shift toward fully integrated, data-driven hotel platforms. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | African hotel operators are moving …
Read More »East Africa is leading Africa’s latest hotel boom
New industry data suggests Africa’s hotel development momentum is increasingly shifting eastward. While North Africa still dominates the size of the continent’s pipeline, countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania now host some of the highest shares of projects already under construction. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | East …
Read More »East Africa leads hotel construction, boosting regional economies
Global chains dominate the development pipeline, with Marriott International leading with 31,782 rooms under construction, followed by Hilton and Accor NEWS ANALYSIS | THE INDEPENDENT | East Africa is emerging as the engine of Africa’s hotel development, with Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania showing some of the highest construction ratios on …
Read More »Hotels face rising cyber risks as hackers deploy AI tools
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A cybercrime group known as RevengeHotels has begun using artificial intelligence to steal guests’ payment data in a new wave of attacks on hotels worldwide, according to cybersecurity company Kaspersky. The group, active since 2015, has traditionally targeted hotels in Brazil but has expanded operations …
Read More »Entrepreneurs to UNBS: Stop trainings in hotels
Mbarara, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Entrepreneurs in the Ankole sub-region have requested that the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) stop conducting training and workshops in hotels and instead visit their workplaces. The UNBS, supported by Trade Mark Africa, held a meeting and training session for Micro, Small, and …
Read More »UTB cracks down on non-compliant hotels
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has launched a nationwide operation to enforce compliance with the Tourism Accommodation Facility Regulations. Supported by the Uganda Police Force, the UTB enforcement team is conducting inspections across various accommodation facilities to ensure they meet the required standards. This crackdown, …
Read More »Refugees reap from hotel apprenticeship
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Ninety five refugees have completed training in hotel and tourism management. This is part of on partnership on Inclusive Jobs and Education for Host Communities, Refugees, and other Forcibly Displaced Persons, a joint initiative of ILO, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), UNICEF, the …
Read More »UTB resumes grading, classification of hotels
Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | Uganda Tourism Board has started a nationwide grading and classification exercise for hotels and other tourist facilities. This was revealed at a news conference held in Kampala on Aug.2 by Lilly Ajarova, the chief executive officer of UTB, Uganda Hotel Owners Association Chairperson and Vice …
Read More »Tourism board starts classification of accommodation facilities nationwide
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has initiated a countrywide grading and classification process for all business accommodation facilities. UTB CEO, Lilly Ajarova, announced this development during a press conference at the board headquarters in Kampala Wednesday. She explained that the operation began on August 1, …
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