Giving back to the environment
Strategically located in the business precinct of Ajman, Ramada Hotel and Suites Ajman and Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman have become the leaders in promoting sustainable tourism in the region. Cluster General Manager Iftikhar Hamdani speaks to TRAVTALK about t
Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman recently announced its membership in United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the largest corporate social responsibility initiative in the world. The United Nations Global Compact is a voluntary initiative to promote sustainable development and good corporate citizenship. Established in 2002, the UN Global Compact now has thousands of participating businesses and stakeholders from over 160 countries. In order to commence its membership, the hotel associates gathered for an orientation conducted by Ayla
Bajwa and Hidaya Mansoor
Alfalasi, UN Global Compact local network representatives in the UAE. The session provided an overview of the 10 fundamental principles of the initiative, which are in the areas of Human Rights, Labour, Environment, and Anti-Corruption, as well as a presentation on The Global Goals for Sustainable Development. Iftikhar Hamdani, General Manager, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman, enthused: “We are honoured to be part of the UN Global Compact! Our management has always ensured the welfare of our workforce and has been actively involved in various sustainable initiatives and charitable projects over the years. Through our membership, we seek to enrich our current business practices, and improve our existing CSR programmes. We will strive to become responsible role models in our field and in the community, and ultimately inspire our industry peers to do their share for a socially responsible global economy.”
A few years ago, they researched into methods of conserving energy to reduce wastage and costs. Today, they have become the pioneers of initiating commercially viable methods. Ramada Hotel and Suites Ajman has been a pioneer in various green initiatives in the UAE over the past years. The hotel has its own compost machine for biodegradable wastes, an urban farm which grows seasonal crops, and a reverse osmosis plant which recycles the hotel’s waste water by 60 percent. The team was actively doing their share for sustainable tourism all year through regular beach clean-ups, Soap for Hope participation, and more.
UNGC Local Network Representative expressed their support to the property: “We are very proud of Ramada Ajman joining the Global Compact, the largest corporate social responsibility initiative in the world, and to be part of the UAE UNGC Local Network which is in fact the most active and growing network worldwide. As a network, we focus on localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensure our commitment with the UNGC universally accepted 10 principles is aligned with the UAE’s vision to be one of the most sustainable countries in the world. We call companies to join the United Nations Global Compact and benefit from the UNGC resources and best practices shared globally and engage with valuable partnerships on the local and regional level.”
The traditional methods of securing business in hospitality or any trade has changed into different levels over the last few years. The performance of the hotel’s revenue depends largely on the efficiency of the management team to mentor and guide the rest of the team, to be proactive to their guests ensuring sustainable and steady relationships which finally reap into revenue. Hamdani further stressed the importance of having a sustainable relationship where the guests will have a prolonged relationship instead of a short stay.
“A simple gesture can change the whole outlook of the guest about a property. It is a continuous training for us as hoteliers. It is a business of ensuring a good experience for the guests. With the online OTAs there has been a significant change in the types of guests. They have their own expectations and our duty is to make sure that we send them back with fulfilled expectations. Going the extra mile in our hospitality trade is a key element which needs to be developed all the time,” concluded Hamdani.
We are honoured to be part of the UN Global Compact! Our management has always ensured the welfare of our workforce and has been actively involved in various sustainable initiatives and charitable projects over the years