Taking Ramada to greater heights in ME

Newly-appointed Cluster General Manager of Ramada Plaza Jumeirah Beach and Ramada Hotel & Suites Sharjah, Stefan Thumiger, shares his vision for the two properties in this competitive and dynamic market to ensure a rise in the hotels’ commercial performance and a heightened guest experience.

Having been in the hospitality industry for 35 years and with experience across 11 countries, Stefan Thumiger is adept in every aspect of hospitality. “I believe that delivering guest satisfaction is essential for driving both new and repeat business to a hotel. Travellers these days have become extremely savvy, knowing exactly what they want and what they can expect from a property through social media platforms and numerous online review sites. So the focus has to be on the guest and not only meeting their expectations, but exceeding them. Most of all, the success of any company is through its associates, so my priority will be staff development and their empowerment.”

Ramada Hotels & Suites Sharjah has recently been renovated, which led to it entering the four-star category of hotels. The renovation saw the addition of a new ‘Deluxe Room’ category, which is very popular with the CIS markets and the Far East, while their apartments have always been popular with families and guests from the GCC.

For Ramada Plaza Jumeirah Beach, the prime location offers access to numerous entertainment, dining and night-life options available at ‘The Walk’ JBR and Dubai Marina, while being a stone’s throw from the beach, so it is hugely popular with guests from across the globe.

“As the UAE continues to establish itself as a major commercial hub, it brings with it a huge amount of business-oriented travellers, so we will have to develop along with the destination. With the constant addition of new products, our focus will remain on guest satisfaction and service consistency,” Thumiger adds.

Technology plays a vital role in each step of a guest’s decision-making, from the initial research phase, to making a reservation, to arrival and even post check-out. “We are constantly implementing latest technology to streamline our operational procedures. However, technology cannot replace professional quality service, which is one of the most important pillars of hospitality,” he observes. At Ramada Hotels & Suites Sharjah, the recent addition of a meeting space and an Executive Lounge certainly makes the property a great choice for business and MICE travellers. The diverse meeting and event space makes it perfect for hosting from small board meetings to banquets, with full F&B options available from the hotel. Guests can enjoy many benefits at the Executive Lounge, including a complimentary continental breakfast, snacks and refreshments throughout the day and much more. The range of room categories that they have at Ramada Plaza Jumeirah Beach and its prime location with access to major business districts make it ideal for both MICE and business travellers.