Online Reporter
Tendai Madziwanyika
The future of hospitality will be defined not only by the guest experience, but also by the security and resilience of the systems behind it. Every reservation, payment, conference and digital interaction depends on information being protected and essential services remaining available.
Rainbow Tourism Group recognised information security and business continuity as strategic priorities central to its ambition of becoming a technology-enabled, world-class African hospitality group. This informed RTG’s decision to pursue ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for Information Security Management Systems and ISO 22301:2019 certification for Business Continuity Management Systems.
These internationally recognised standards provide structured frameworks for protecting critical information, sustaining priority services and responding effectively to disruption. The achievement makes RTG the first hospitality company in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa to attain both certifications and places it among only four Zimbabwean organisations to achieve the standards concurrently.
Building on a culture of quality
RTG’s ISO journey began in 2010 with ISO 9001:2008 certification, which established a formal Quality Management System across its hotels and head office. The Group transitioned to ISO 9001:2015 in 2018, strengthening its focus on risk-based thinking, process management and continual improvement.
This established quality culture made the transition to ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO 22301 more efficient. RTG employees already understood documented procedures, accountability, internal audits and corrective action. Information security and business continuity could therefore be built on a mature management-system foundation.
The latest certification journey began in 2025 and took approximately 18 months. RTG partnered Acute Cybersecurity Services, a local consulting company that provided specialist guidance and training during implementation. The systems were independently audited by the Professional Evaluation and Certification Board (PECB) — a Canadian certification body.
As part of the certification board’s requirements, members of RTG’s implementation and internal-audit teams completed PECB ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO 22301 Lead Implementer and Lead Auditor certification. This investment equipped the Group with internal expertise to implement, assess, maintain and continually improve both management systems. The capability built within RTG, together with the support and rigorous assessment provided by Acute Cybersecurity Services and PECB, contributed significantly to the successful outcome. Certification required RTG to identify critical information and services, assess risks, strengthen controls, clarify responsibilities, document recovery arrangements and test organisational preparedness. The process involved the Board, executive management, project teams and employees.
Assurance in a digital age
Digital reservations, payment platforms, mobile services and data-driven decisions improve convenience and efficiency, but also create cybersecurity risks. Information security and business continuity must, therefore, be embedded in strategy, governance and daily operations rather than treated solely as information-technology responsibilities.
For guests, the certifications provide confidence that information is managed responsibly and that RTG is prepared to restore essential services. Corporate clients, conference organisers, travel partners and suppliers gain independent assurance that security and continuity risks are managed systematically. For investors and financiers, the standards demonstrate strong governance, institutional resilience and disciplined risk management.
Certification does not mean cyber incidents, system failures or operational disruptions will never occur. It confirms that RTG has recognised systems to identify and reduce risks, respond decisively, limit their impact and restore critical operations in a structured manner.
We are now in the age of Artificial Intelligence which presents new opportunities to improve productivity, decision-making and guest experiences, but it must be governed responsibly. RTG has started working towards ISO/IEC 42001, the international standard for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems.
The lasting value of these certifications will depend on consistent application and continual improvement. RTG will continue monitoring emerging risks, testing recovery arrangements and embedding security and resilience into its investments, technologies and business decisions—providing a strong foundation for responsible innovation, regional growth and dependable hospitality across Africa.
