Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG) is stepping up efforts to increase food and energy self-sufficiency, as part of a drive to cut costs and strengthen the resilience of its hotel operations.
The hospitality group has this year expanded its agricultural programme, RTG-Agro, to five hectares across its hotels – A’Zambezi River Lodge, Montclair, Kadoma and Rainbow Towers – with the initiative currently producing 20 vegetable lines.
RTG-Agro, it said, could generate annual savings of up to US$1 million once fully scaled, while also reducing the group’s exposure to price fluctuations and supply disruptions.
The group has already achieved full on-site sourcing of green vegetables at Kadoma Rainbow, Rainbow Towers in the Harare CBD, Montclair and A’Zambezi.
RTG chief executive, Tendai Madziwanyika, said “beyond cost reduction, RTG-Agro strengthens supply-chain resilience by reducing exposure to disruptions and price volatility”.
The company plans to expand the programme into meat and egg production, as part of its broader agricultural self-sufficiency strategy.
RTG has also moved to reduce its exposure to electricity shortages through investments in renewable energy.
Its Kadoma solar plant generated 267 991 kilowatt-hours of clean energy during the year and helped cut energy costs by 31 percent.
The group plans to install a 2 megawatt solar plant at Rainbow Towers Hotel and Conference Centre in 2026.
The grid-tied system is expected to generate 2 942 838 kilowatt-hours annually, with surplus power capable of being fed into the national grid.
Chairman Douglas Hoto said the investment would contribute to wider energy resilience while supporting the group’s operations.
“Being grid tied, [the system] will enable surplus energy to be fed into the national grid, contributing to broader national energy resilience,” Hoto said.
The company has also introduced measures to reduce water and electricity consumption across its hotels.
Its Green Stays programme reduced energy, water and chemical consumption during the fourth quarter, while refurbishment projects now include low-flow flushing systems capable of reducing water use by up to 30 percent per flush.
RTG has also installed smart key-card systems to control electricity consumption in guest rooms.
The company’s investment programme extends to its properties, with major product upgrades planned at Montclair Resort and Conference Centre and Kadoma Hotel and Conference Centre.
Preliminary work has also started on the redevelopment of MSK House in Cape Town into a four-star luxury hotel, with construction expected to begin in 2027 subject to regulatory approvals.