UAE: Ajman Tourism Delegation Tours Germany

Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) has embarked on a four-day, six-city tour of Germany.

The tour, headed by ATDD general manager Faisal Al Nuaimi, aims to draw a bigger share of the German tourism market, to help meet the emirate’s target of increasing the number of European visitors by 20 per cent in 2017.

Speaking before his departure, Al Nuaimi said, “We are keen to meet with the key players in the travel and tourism industry in Germany and discuss the latest developments in the sector.”

Hotels in Ajman recorded around 70,000 guests from Europe during the first half of 2016, with around 40 per cent from Germany. The tour started on October 24 and will end on October 27.

UAE: Ajman Tourism Up 47%

Total tourism revenue for the months of July, August and September has touched Dh80.05 million from last year's Dh54.6 million.

Ajman registered a 47 per cent year-on-year increase in tourism revenue for the third quarter of 2015, according to the Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD).

According to the ATDD, total tourism revenue for the months of July, August and September has touched Dh80.05 million from last year's Dh54.6 million. This can be attributed to the increase in occupancy rate, average room rate and additional inventory of rooms in Ajman.

There was a slight decrease in the number of visitors to Ajman but the number of guest nights grew by 49 per cent, from 201,596 in 2014 to 300,948 in 2015. Local residents and visitors from GCC and other Arab countries still make up the bulk of the guests to the emirate, followed by Asians and Africans, Europeans, Russians and Americans.

However, Asians and Africans have the highest room nights during their stay followed by local, GCC and other Arab guests.

Faisal Al Nuaimi, general manager of ATDD, said: "The figures are extremely encouraging knowing that the third quarter of the year is the lean period for the hotel industry because of the summer season and Ramadan.

We anticipate continued growth in our source markets with new marketing strategies and brand identity that we will unveil soon. This will position the emirate of Ajman as a leading destination for business and leisure."

The department also shared its 2016 marketing plan with representatives of hotels, tour operators and travel agencies at a recent meeting.

The plan highlighted the emirate's new brand positioning, target markets and different programmes that will be carried out across the emirate starting next year to reach the target of five million visitors annually by 2021.

Other activities such as upcoming sporting events at the recently opened Al Zorah Golf Course were also discussed as an opportunity to promote Ajman as a golfing destination.

Total tourism revenue in Ajman in the third quarter of this year reached Dh80.05 million, marking a 47 per cent jump from the Dh54.6 million recorded in the same period last year, according to the Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD).

The increase in revenues is supported by a rise in occupancy rates, average room rates, and additional inventory of rooms and units in Ajman.

While there was a decrease in the number of visitors to the emirate, the number of guest nights grew by 49 per cent. Local residents and other visitors from the GCC and Arab countries still make up the bulk of the guests to Ajman, followed by Asians, Africans, Europeans, Russians, and Americans.

“The figures are extremely encouraging knowing that the third quarter of the year is the lean period for the hotel industry because of the summer season and Ramadan. We anticipate continued growth in our source markets with the new marketing strategies and brand identity that we will unveil soon,” said Faisal Al Nuaimi, General Manager of Ajman Tourism Development Department.

He was speaking at the Department’s quarterly meeting with its stakeholders, during which ATDD discussed the status of the 2016 marketing plan to representatives of hotels, tour operators, and travel agencies.

The plan highlighted the new brand positioning statement of the emirate, target markets, and different programmes that will be carried out across the emirate starting next year to reach the target of five million visitors annually by 2021.