Hotel Chateau Le Marara, located in Karongi District, has been temporarily closed by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) after it was found to be operating without the required license.
The hotel had continued to receive guests visiting Karongi for tourism purposes, but following an inspection by RDB, it was confirmed that its operations were not in line with the legal framework governing the tourism sector in Rwanda.
RDB based its decision on Law No 12ter/2014 of 19 May 2014, which regulates the organization of tourism in Rwanda. The law clearly states that any establishment offering tourism services must first obtain a license from the competent authority. Its provisions make it mandatory for tourism-related businesses to acquire proper authorization before starting or continuing operations.
The investigation revealed that Hotel Chateau Le Marara had neither applied for nor received the required license, placing it among businesses operating illegally.
As of 22 July 2025, the hotel has been ordered to cease operations temporarily. RDB stated that continuing to operate beyond this date would be considered a legal violation and could lead to serious penalties.
RDB reminded the public that for the hotel to resume operations, it must first obtain the necessary license and comply with all legal requirements. This measure aims to safeguard service quality, customer safety, and the sustainable development of the tourism sector.
