Rainbow Tourism Group last week received ISO 9001:2008 certification in recognition of its commitment towards meeting and exceeding customer satisfaction in all facets of its business. Standards Association of Zimbabwe director-general Mrs Eve Gadzikwa, who handed over the certificate, paid tribute to RTG for its commitment to ensuring that they uphold excellent quality standards in customer satisfaction, which include their health, safety and general well-being.

"ISO 9001 certification is undoubtedly a big achievement not only for RTG but also for the Zimbabwean tourism sector and as SAZ we recognise your desire to meet and exceed customers' satisfaction, their health, safety and well-being to ensure the achievement of your vision and mission.

"Your indispensable efforts to excel in the hospitality sector have not gone unnoticed," she said.

Mrs Gadzikwa added that this achievement by RTG brought the total number of companies in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Malawi that have been ISO 9001:2008 certified by her organisation to 128.

RTG is one of only eight companies in the hospitality industry in Zimbabwe to get such certification.

The SAZ boss also expressed optimism that RTG will leverage on the certificate presented to them as the country braces to co-host the 20th UNWTO General Assembly with Zambia in August.

"As you are all aware, the general assembly is a prestigious global event. The benefits to be realised from the hosting of the event are massive for our country, so this certification will certainly give RTG the impetus needed to ensure satisfaction of the visitors," said Mrs Gadzikwa.

In his acceptance speech, RTG group chief executive Mr Tendai Madziwanyika paid tribute to SAZ for the guidance that they provided in ensuring the group achieves this feat.

"I would want to thank the SAZ team and our own ISO consultant for their dedication and counsel in assisting RTG to achieve this re-certification status," he said.

Mr Madziwanyika added that the certification which is for 2013-2016 is bearing fruit already as the group's guest index has since improved from an average of 70 percent to the present 86 percent, while service and product quality has also improved.

The RTG boss also paid tribute to his own team whom he said had worked tirelessly in ensuring set standards were met at all times. "I congratulate the RTG management and team for their effort in ensuring that the organisation adopted the ISO 9001 standards effectively and above satisfactory levels," he added.

ISO 9001 certification is now established as the globally accepted standard for providing quality assurance of goods and services in supplier - customer relations and over one million ISO 9001:2008 certificates have been issued worldwide.