By NOMSA NKANA
IN DIFFERENT parts of the country, it is common knowledge that some businesses in the hospitality industry are using their premises for illicit sex.
This has been a concern to Copperbelt Province permanent secretary Stanford Msichili, who called on hotels and lodges to desist from the practice as it is tarnishing the image of their institutions.
But Tourism Council of Zambia chairman Felix Mulenga said while he condemns the practice, it is also difficult for hoteliers to know what a guest will use the room for after they have paid the full amount.
Mr Mulenga said in the past, Government had a policy stopping single women from patronising hotels alone in a bid to curb prostitution but this was contended in court by women’s lobby groups.
The policy was deemed as a violation of women’s rights, said Mr Mulenga.
Mr Mulenga said hotels that allow people to use their rooms for few hours are condoning immoral activities thus tarnishing the image of the hospitality industry.
According to Mr Mulenga, each hotel should in this case come up with a Corporate Policy which states their rules so that guests are aware how to conduct themselves.
He, however, said Zambia, being a Christian nation, should have policies in keeping with the declaration, adding that some practices are not in line with Christian values which the country professes.
And Hotel and Catering Association of Zambia (HCAZ) president Daniel Mweetwa said hoteliers need to maintain high levels of decency and integrity in the hospitality industry.
Mr Mweetwa said as much as hotels have no control over behaviour of patrons, they do not need to gloss over questionable behaviour of guests once such activities are brought to management’s attention.
“If a guest comes and wants to use a room for an hour or so, we should not agree as that could mean they may want to use it for something questionable like a ‘quickie’,” he said.
He, however, said it is difficult to determine what patrons are going to use a room for once they pay for it.
Mr Mweetwa said when receptionists observe guests frequenting the hotel to use rooms for few hours, they should take note of them and bring the matter to the attention of management for action.
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