DTCM ACHIEVES TRANSFER TO ISO STANDARD 9001:2000

2 August 2002

Following an external audit the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has achieved a transfer to the new International Standards Organization’s ISO 9001:2000 rating in July 2002. The audit was conducted by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA), one of the world’s leading certification bodies.

“We are happy to have received the ISO 9001:2000 certification and this is a result of the commitment that was demonstrated by the DTCM team that is continuously improving its processes and always giving customer requirements a priority,” said DTCM Director General, Khalid A. bin Sulayem.

He noted that the DTCM has maintained a strong commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, accomplished with strict assurance standards and outstanding service. "We recognise the right of customers to not only expect quality but to demand quality. Quality is central to our strategy for strengthening our organisational structure and operational capabilities," Mr. bin Sulayem said.

In June 2000, the DTCM was awarded the ISO 9002 rating for its quality management system and effectively became the first government organization in the world dealing in tourism and commerce marketing to achieve this distinction.

The DTCM's ISO 9001:2000 covers the provision of tourism and commerce marketing, licensing and classification of hotels and hotel apartments, promotion of tourism facilities and activities. In addition, it covers the management of historical sites in Dubai, the design and delivery of tourism and hospitality training courses. This scope represents a significant increase in comparison to the previous certificate.

In a separate audit, LRQA has also reviewed the systems in the Dubai Cruise Terminal, which is operated by the DTCM, and awarded a separate certificate (ISO 9001:2000) for the operation of the cruise terminal facilities including hub, transit and passenger exchange. 

Both DTCM and Dubai Cruise Terminal have repeated their earlier achievements by becoming the first such operations in the world to become certified to ISO 9001:2000.