TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
Northern Emirates witnessed exponential growth in the number of visitors this year with Germans taking the lead. ‘Overall Northern Emirates is attracting more German guests due to our beautiful beaches in all the northern emirates destinations,’ says Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager, Northern Emirates (Coral Beach Resort Sharjah and Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel).
Dr. Shehara Rizly
Northern Emirates is attracting more German guests due to its beautiful beaches. Sharing his views on this, Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager, Northern Emirates (Coral Beach Resort Sharjah and Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel), shared, “Overall Northern Emirates is attracting more German guests due to our beautiful beaches in all the northern emirates destinations. We are expecting further growth in 2024, as business is back to normal or even better than the pre-pandemic era. We have record breaking occupancy at our two resorts. We surpassed all previous records in 2023. Both hotels are experiencing 96 per cent occupancy in first quarter of 2024. Being resorts, we are more attractive for the families.”
ITB serves as key platform
Talking about their presence at ITB Berlin, Hamdani said, “We will attract travel industry professionals, tour operators, travel agents, and potential guests who are seeking unique and memorable beach experiences in Sharjah and Ajman by offering our unique accommodation, beach activities, culinary experiences, wellness and spa facilities, local experiences to emphasize the unique cultural experiences and local attractions near our resorts, such as visits to traditional markets, historical sites, or cultural events in Sharjah and Ajman.”
Increase in travel spending
He added, “Our TRevPAR experienced a remarkable surge in 2023, soaring by an impressive 42 per cent compared to 2019. This impressive increase in our TRevPAR vividly illustrates the robust spending power of our esteemed guests at the hotel. This substantial surge not only signifies their growing confidence in our offerings but also underscores their willingness to engage with our diverse range of services and amenities. It is a testament to the exceptional experiences we provide, as well as the value they place on the premium hospitality and tailored experiences we deliver.”
New markets and agents
Hamdani shared, “We are focussed to bring new markets. Ajman and Sharjah Tourism Department are working firm along with us to tap new markets. We are seeing the increase in West Europe, East Europe year on year and some new markets has increased e.g. Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, China, and Belarus. Some segments that are very active now are Leisure and Sports in both of our resorts.”
