Following the assessment made by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 11 Ethiopian hotels have filed complaints to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MoCT) in response to the star ratings they received following the assessment made by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Gezahegn Abate, director of international and public relations at the MoCT told The Reporter that out of the 136 hotel properties, so far, 95 have been able to receive star rates.

"Eleven properties have filed complaints which were directed towards the prerequisites of compliance to the rules of hygiene and sanitary procedures, security and fire control protocols. Eight more have been waiting to receive certificates of compliance, which is a mandatory requirement," he said while declining to reveal the names of the hotels that complained.

The assessment came after the MoCT and UNWTO inked an agreement last year where by the latter would assist the ministry in conducting a thorough assessment and evaluation of some 400 hotels in Ethiopia.

According to the MoCT, hotels need to have employees who have received certification of competencies, which is one of the mandatory requirements. Hotels failing to fulfill this requirement will not be considered for star grading. Similarly, those properties without certificates of fire and safety protocols, hygiene and sanitations are not fit for star ratings.