Abstract:
Only 8 out of over 110 registered hotels in Zimbabwe are ISO certified. The main purpose of this study was
to explore the perceptions that hoteliers in Zimbabwe have in relation to I.S.O certification. The specific
objectives of the study were; to establish hotelier’s perceptions of ISO certification in Zimbabwe, to establish
reasons for the low uptake of I.S.O certification in Zimbabwe’s hotel sector and to develop strategies for
enhanced uptake of I.S.O certification in Zimbabwe’s hotel sector. A largely qualitative research design was
used and a judgmental sample of 54 respondents, comprising of hotel marketing managers,was incorporated
in this study. Generally, the findings of the study seem to suggest that I.S.O certification is highly applicable
and functional in Zimbabwe’s hotel sector. The benefits of I.S.O certification in other economic sectors play
a very crucial role in shaping the perceptions hoteliers have in relation with the scheme. As a result of the
findings of the study, hoteliers are recommended to fully embrace I.S.O certification. However, there is
further need to carry out studies to ascertain the impact of I.S.O certification on hotel businesses as most of
the benefits seem to be adopted from other industrial sectors such as manufacturing.
