TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman and Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman have long been committed to raising awareness of the importance of sustainable practices in hotel operations. Besides the widespread benefits to our environment, what kind of results can such endeavours deliver?
IFTIKHAR HAMDANI: Being recognised as ambassadors of sustainable tourism is just one of the merits of our initiatives.
Our main aim is to raise awareness and inspire individuals and groups to take actions for the environment.
To date, there have been more than 30 hotels across the GCC who took the time to look into our zero landfill project and urban farm.
We are continuously hosting visitors from other hotels, schools and even government entities to check out the initiatives and see how they can adopt these [...].
In terms of financial benefits, we are saving AED120,000 (USD32,700) annually from the waste collection. It was launched in 2012, and [since then], we have saved AED480,000 (USD13,100) because we decided to purchase a compost machine.
Recently, we launched a water saving initiative by installing a reverse osmosis (RO) plant, which recycles the hotel’s waste water by 60 percent.
We spend AED800 (USD220) per day to meet the hotel’s daily water supply on top of what we get from the water authority.
Through this project, our hotel will be able to generate yearly savings of AED292,000 (USD79,500). The machine costs AED56,000 (USD15,250) so we will be able to get return on investment in just five months.
TRAVEL TRADE MENA: What is next for the hotels in terms of green and sustainable practices?
IFTIKHAR HAMDANI: Our next goal is to fully involve guests in the experience and possibly provide rewards for being part of our sustainable initiatives. We are looking at various schemes on how to implement this and achieve positive results.
In addition, we plan to continue to spread the word and speak in various conferences, panel discussions, and seminars in the UAE and abroad, so people can understand the benefits of sustainable tourism.
In regards to the benefits, as mentioned earlier, we have been recognised by various organisations and continue to receive awards and citations. In November 2015, we were finally able to secure the prestigious Green Globe Certification, following a thorough audit.
TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman and Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman are both part of R Hotels, a fast-growing company which outlined plans to launch another property in Ajman. Please tell us about this project.
IFTIKHAR HAMDANI: The construction of the new property beside Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman is fully underway. With an additional 192 keys, our three properties will further strengthen our position in the Northern Emirates with the biggest inventory and highest occupancy.
Our team and management witnessed the demand for additional rooms in the emirate, especially at Ajman Corniche where the beach and restaurants are located. The new hotel will feature sea-view rooms, a restaurant, spa and fitness centre and indoor swimming pool, and will target both the leisure and corporate segments.
TRAVEL TRADE MENA: What are your plans for the traditionally slower summer months?
IFTIKHAR HAMDANI: Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman and Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman already started [teaming up] with destination management companies in Eastern European and Scandinavian regions for the summer period.
We will participate in the road show organised by the UAE National Council of Tourism & Antiquities, to tap the Eastern European markets, including the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary.
We will still focus on our key markets, including India, GCC and Russia, while staying abreast of the competition, we have to be constantly on the lookout for new markets.
