DRMumbai: As an Emirate with a rich heritage and spectacular five-star hotels & resorts, Ajman continues to attract visitors looking for authentic Emirati hospitality, which is reflected in our destination brand ‘Sincerely Emirati’. Here Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry CEO, Ajman Tourism, elucidates the Emirate’s expansion plans in the tourism sector.
“We have been organising roadshows and networking with leading operators in key cities such as Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai” – Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, CEO, Ajman Tourism
Which are the customer segments that you seem to attract the most from around the world?
Ajman remains an attractive destination primarily for leisure travellers and we are continuing to grow our market share in the cultural, eco-tourism, business and sports tourism segments. There is also the natural landscape of Ajman, the beautiful desert with tour excursions on offer and also hiking and cycling in the Masfout mountains. For those seeking culture, Ajman Museum is among the most visited sites in the Emirate. An 18th-century fort houses archaeological gems and has an astounding collection of artefacts and archaeological finds, including centuries-old manuscripts, weaponry and pottery. So whether it is cycling through the mountains, camping under the desert stars or kayaking on our lagoons, there truly is something for everyone who visits Ajman.
Which are your key source markets? Where does India stand?
The Arab market remains a core category for us but we are also increasingly focusing on European, African and Asian markets. India continues to be a significantly important market for both the UAE and Ajman. The level of growth outlined above is indicative of the growing popularity of Ajman as a tourism destination for Indian visitors as well as the importance of the Indian market to Ajman tourism and reflects our continued efforts to strengthen partnerships with major tourist operators and industry partners with a view to further growing these numbers.
In India which city/states contribute more numbers to Ajman?
The Emirate of Ajman has become an increasingly popular destination for a large number of tourists from both inside the UAE and abroad. With regard to India, the Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) continues to promote the Emirate with The National Council of Tourism & Antiquities by organising roadshows and exhibitions and networking with leading operators in key cities such as Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai. We are delighted to report that, thus far, our efforts have been paying off and we are seeing a steady increase in the number of arrivals from India.
Please tell us five things that are very new to Ajman that may interest tourists?
Ajman continues to offer exciting visitor attractions for our growing market of local, regional and international tourists and there have been a number of new projects which appeal to visitors looking to try something different:
- Tourists can now partake in the centuries-old Emirati tradition of pearl diving with Ajman Pearl
- Boasting impressive views, the new seaplane service from Ajman to Dubai provides tourists with a unique sightseeing opportunity
- Ajman continues to brag of a number of hotels, including the recently opened five-star Oberoi Al Zorah Beach Resort, that provide guests with luxurious facilities including pools, private beaches and a wide variety of restaurants. The destination also saw another exciting opening last October, the Radisson Blu Hotel Ajman, which is the first five-star hotel to open within the city. The Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche is also set to open its doors by the end of this year
In addition, visitors can now enjoy ecotourism excursions in Al Zorah Nature Reserve, courtesy of Quest for Adventure which runs kayak tours that take visitors around one of the region’s most prized natural mangroves in Al Zorah, an area declared a ‘Wetland of International Importance’ by the Ramsar Convention. Al Zorah is home to over 100 species of native and migratory birds including pink flamingos that can be spotted throughout the year
Marina 1 in Al Zorah has also officially opened and offers a large variety of restaurants and cafes
