admindirector Ms Zodwa Mutunzi says the company, which is accredited to the International Air Transport Association, takes pride in building relationships with customers, getting to know their businesses and ensuring that, regardless of size, all receive the same individual attention each and every time.
“Our approach to business and corporate travel focuses on providing a tailored outlook to the effective and efficient management of our clients’ travel needs. We deliver the best possible solution to get the most out of their travel budget. We are not just a corporate travel agency limited to bookings and itineraries but, we take a holistic approach to corporate travel, with a focus on cost reduction,” she said.
She believes that said there is great potential for the tourism industry in Zimbabwe to register growth considering the number of airlines coming to Harare indicating that there is need to make lasting impressions that go beyond the hosting of the 2013 UNWTO General Assembly.
The charismatic Ms Mutunzi founded the firm nine years ago and has built it over the years to become one of the biggest travel agencies in Zimbabwe with a high-profile clientele.
“Our portfolio encompasses non-governmental organisations, multinational corporations and church ministries. Traverze Travel delivers fully customised solutions that allow you to make informed travel management decisions for your unique business needs. We proactively focus on industry changes, service enhancements and visionary technology solutions to ensure you are protected from the abundant risks associated with today’s travel,” she added.
Ms Mutunzi, who now leads a team of 20 employees, started her career in the travel industry in 1996 as a travel consultant at Pearlsand Travel and other travel agencies in Harare. Her passion to run her own travel agency led her to the founding of Traverze Travel and Tours in 2003.
Ms Mutunzi said Traverze mainly provides clients with a minimum of three quotations from different airlines operating the required route in a bid to give clients the cheapest fares possible and on the most direct routes.
Apart from this the company also operates under a strict code of ethics where confidentiality is not negotiable.
“Being a preferred travel agency to a number of security sensitive organisations requires integrity in this area. Any breach of such is punishable by dismissal and prosecution depending on the gravity. All our service providers are required to commit to maintaining integrity especially in confidentiality,” she said.
Traverze facilitates individual and group bookings in any hotel of any category and in any part of the world, provide rent-a-car services including a driver upon request from the client as well as offering a one-stop conference management service.
“This offers the client peace of mind and a guarantee of excellent co-ordination and smooth running of all the proceedings prior, during and after the conference,” she said.
A single mother, Ms Mutunzi believes in creating and establishing a relationship with most of her clients, a strategy she has found to be very useful in building her business. She said there were lots of benefits for clients who register under the frequent flyer programme, a loyalty promotion offered by many airlines.
“We encourage all our clients to enrol in the programme so as to accumulate frequent flyer miles (kilometres, points, segments) corresponding to the distance flown on that airline or its partners. Acquired mileage can be redeemed for free air travel; for other goods or services; or for increased benefits, such as travel class upgrades, airport lounge access or priority bookings,” she said.
The agency also facilitates travel insurance intended to cover medical expenses, financial default of travel suppliers, and other losses incurred while travelling, either within one’s own country or internationally.
Whenever possible the company helps clients obtain visas for official travel. Ms Mutunzi, a born-again Christian, said Traverze was proud to have received a number of travel industry awards including being the first runner-up Best Travel Agent — Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Awards 2011; Prestige Award 2011 — by Swiss Airlines, top 10 Achiever — British Airways (2011); and top 10 Agent — Kenya Airways (2010-2011).
Online Reporter