Rwanda being known as one of the fastest growing economies in Africa, its hospitality industry has also become part of the global supply chains where adherence to global food safety is very important. Kigali Serena Hotel is at the fore of ensuring standards befitting a hotel of international repute. In recognition of such efforts, the hotel was awarded an SGS Hospitality Excellence Program certificate for achieving high standards.
Caption: Kigali Serena Hotel staff pose with the certificate
Rwanda being known as one of the fastest growing economies in Africa, its hospitality industry has also become part of the global supply chains where adherence to global food safety is very important.
Kigali Serena Hotel is at the fore of ensuring standards befitting a hotel of international repute. In recognition of such efforts, the hotel was awarded an SGS Hospitality Excellence Program certificate for achieving high standards.
The Hospitality Excellence Program is a globally registered food safety surveillance scheme that focuses on most food operations including hotels, restaurants, fast food rations, retail outlets, convenience stores and general catering.
It is aimed at making these institutions’ management to understand how to apply practical solutions to food safety and hygiene matters.
According to Ronald Watsiera who is the lead auditor at SGS Kenya Ltd, the Kigali Serena Hotel underwent rigorous audits in food and beverage storage, food handlers, kitchen, staff canteen and sanitary surveillance among others.
Watsiera said that from the frequent audits, staff members become more aware of what they are expected to do in regards to the hotel’s hygiene, how to prepare food, store food, and what temperature to serve and preserve food and above all acquire good working practices.
SGS Kenya Ltd is the leading inspection, Verification, testing and Certification Company. This is recognized as the global benchmark for Quality integrity.
Daniel Sambai, the Country Manager Serena Hotel Rwanda speaking at the event said that being recognized and certified by a company like SGS Kenya Ltd is a great achievement for the hotel and this is not the first time this has been done. Serena Hotels recognizes the importance of such accreditation as it focuses on high quality and standards of both the service and its products and above all ensures that the Serena Staff are well trained to deliver superior quality.
"We have now the task to keep the record on since this audit is done quarterly. If we are not keen to every detail, we might lose out on being certified or recognized in this matter again," says Sambai
Present was the Chairman of Private Sector Federation’s Tourism Chamber, Bart Gasana who congratulated Kigali Serena Hotel and its staff for having set an example for the rest of other players in the hospitality industry in the country who should borrow a leaf.
He added that Rwanda being a country that accentuates the values of quality services and having a reputation of cleanliness, Rwanda Standards Board should encourage more hotels to undergo audits or certification on food safety so as to up their game in this field.