UAE Excursion Company gets the prestigious certification for Cruise & Safari operations
Dubai, September 27, 2006: Rikks Cruises, an established dhow cruise company in Dubai, and North Tours, the safari company, in its commitment to work in accordance with good industry practices and to comply with applicable laws and regulations, have acquired the prestigious 'ISO 9001 - 2000' certification from 'Moody International Certification Ltd, a UKAS accredited certification body No 014'. Both companies belong to 'Rikks Group of Companies'
The prime objective of the group is to ensure that all services are provided and maintained at a level that meets or exceeds set quality standards and customers requirements.
The group, active in the desert safari and dhow cruise sectors, won the coveted internationally recognized quality management certification following a stringent audit carried out last month in their offices at Twin Towers, on board three dhows and at desert safari sites.
"Getting the ISO 9001-2000 certification is a great achievement for North Tours and Rikks Cruises," said Suresh Lalgee, President of the group of companies. "It is a reward for the high importance we give to quality and service. This recognition will certainly motivate us to raise the bar on our standards in the days to come."
Addressing a press conference on board Rikks Cruises flagship dhow MV Dolphin, Rikks Floating Restaurant, at Dubai Creek, Mr. Lalgee said: "In the tourism market, Dubai is a rising star. The emirate is continuously evolving, and we are committed to supporting this evolution by leading the market in quality, professionalism and business ethics."
Ali Saif, founder of North Tours, said: "The ISO 9001-2000 is a culmination in the long list of honours awarded to North Tours by the industry. It is recognition of the spirit of excellence that drives every aspect of the company. The recognition has put North Tours and Rikks Cruises on the road to further expansion, against a booming tourism industry in the UAE. The group is certainly poised to make a stronger mark on the emirate's tourism map through innovative offerings."
"North Tours and Rikks Cruises have been among the pioneers in tailoring tour packages in the field of desert safaris and dhow cruises," said Pooja Kanani, Director of Marketing. "We are service providers of choice for Dubai's leading destination management companies and hotels, because of our strong infrastructure and obsession with standards. The ISO 9001 2000 crowns our efforts towards achieving excellence in product innovation and service delivery."
-Ends-
North Tours has a fleet of 15 Land Cruisers for desert safari and city tours and two fully equipped desert safari camps,; the latest built can accommodate 1,500 people with shower and toilet facilities to facilitate overnight outings.
Rikks Cruises has a fleet of three traditional wooden dhows offering cruises along the Dubai Creek. The largest and most luxurious of the dhows is the MV Dolphin, an 85-ft luxury vessel. The second is 'Pride of Dubai', a 65-ft dhow, while the third is 'Hazza', a smaller dhow, designed for corporate functions and group parties.
North Tours and Rikks Cruises command a high reputation among leading destination companies and hotels in the UAE. Companies that book regular groups for safaris and dhow cruises with North Tours include Destinations of the World, Royal Park Tourism, White Sands Tours and Travel and Planet Tours.
Since North Tours was established by Mr Ali Saif, a physically challenged athlete who brought numerous medals and honor to the UAE in sports for the physically challenged, the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has chosen the Group as a member of the Special Task Force to promote special needs tourism.
In March, 2004 the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing has demonstrated its confidence with North Tours when it was given the assignment of helping organize the Rehab 2004, a conference of 5,000 physically challenged delegates from all over the world.
© Press Release 2006
