The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) announced on Thursday, June 4, the temporary closure of four hospitality establishments across Rwanda. This regulatory action followed comprehensive inspections that uncovered multiple violations of established tourism and hospitality requirements.

The affected establishments include Century Park Hotel and Residences Kigali, Dove Luxury Hotel situated in Gicumbi District, Highland Resort Ltd in Rulindo District, and Nengo Eden Park Hotel located in Rubavu District. The RDB explicitly stated that these facilities failed to comply with critical standards encompassing licensing, hygiene, food safety protocols, security measures, service quality, operational procedures, and other mandatory regulatory requirements.

According to the RDB, these closures are not permanent but are strictly temporary, designed to provide the establishments with an opportunity to address and rectify the identified shortcomings before they are permitted to resume operations. The regulator issued a public notice stating, "The affected establishments are required to cease hospitality operations during the closure period and may only resume operations after submitting satisfactory evidence of corrective measures and undergoing verification by the competent authorities."

In light of these findings, the RDB reiterated its call for all hospitality businesses to adhere strictly to a broad spectrum of requirements. These include regulations concerning tourism operations, general hygiene, safety, security, proper food handling practices, and exemplary customer service standards. The RDB emphasized that "Compliance is essential to safeguarding guests, staff, and the wider public, while upholding the quality and credibility of the hospitality sector." Furthermore, the RDB indicated that its inspection activities would continue diligently across the country, cautioning that any establishments failing to meet the required standards could face further regulatory action.