93% occupancy at Ramada Ajman

Ramada Hotels and Suites and Ramada Beach Ajman under the leadership of Cluster General Manager Iftikhar Hamdani have recorded an increase in occupancy levels during the last quarter of 2016, leading up to a very good first quarter in 2017 as well.

TT Bureau

Beach properties in the UAE have recorded a steady growth trajectory from the latter part of 2016 under the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum who announced ease of entry visa to Russia and China ensuring a stronger 2017.

According to Hamdani there has been an increase in arrivals by nearly 20-25 per cent after the visa on arrival was announced last year for the Russian market. He further stressed that 2017 summer looks very promising as already the bookings have been pouring in good numbers.

Hamdani explains that ensuring a 93 per cent occupancy with a strong ADR that enhances the profit share is similar to the years they enjoyed in 2014 when the tourism trade was booming with visitors especially from the CIS market. Good relationships with partners and team work within the property are some of the key elements which ensure their profitability at all times.

Another important factor to be stressed upon is an increase in visitors booking through online channels. The CIS market is a traditional market that would always depend on the travel agents to make their arrangements but they have seen a new emerging trend as about 2 to 3 per cent of Russian travellers have booked through online travel agents or GDS. This is a sign that there is a new millennial traveller emerging from the CIS market.

Closely working with the Ajman Tourism Development Department and other partners and stake holders Ramada Beach and Ramada Hotels and Suites Ajman are on a very strong path towards achieving the largest hotel chain in Ajman as well. The recent addition of the first Wyndham Garden in the emirate towards the latter part of the year ensures the numbers increase to above 600 rooms for Ramada Hotels in Ajman.

As this year marks the year of giving, under the leadership of Hamdani, the hotels have once again stepped in to a new programme to provide food for the labour camps in Ajman. The untouched food from the hotel banquet and buffet will not be wasted; instead, it will be shared among the many deprived individuals in labour camps. The charity committee of the properties will provide meals for labourers in makeshift buffet tents especially for the occasion.

Pioneering in CSR programmes Hamdani and his team has been successful at various events during the year. Latest among the achievements is Iftikhar Hamdani’s accolade – Wyndham Hotel Group EMEA President’s Award for CSR 2016. Hamdani was again recognised by the group for its innovative and substantial Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives over the past year. The award was presented to Hamdani by Wyndham Hotel Group’s top officials including Geoff Balloti, President and CEO; Dan Ruff, President and Managing Director of WHG – EMEA, and Ignace Bauwens, Regional Vice-President of WHG Middle East and Africa, during the group’s annual EMEA Summit held in Brussels, Belgium. On receiving the award, Hamdani said: “I would like to thank Wyndham Hotel Group for lauding our continuous contribution to charitable and sustainable causes. We encourage our colleagues within the hospitality sector to follow suit so we can create a bigger impact for the community. Passion and philanthropy are all it takes to make a positive difference.”