Ajman Launches Tourism Roadmap As Visitors Surge 46% In H1

The Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) has launched a new roadmap for tourism in the emirate amidst growing visitor numbers.

“The project will present the current tourism scene in Ajman, focus on analysing the current and future infrastructure needs and evaluate the expected effect of tourism on local economy,” said Faisal Al Nuaimi, general manager, ATTD

The four-phased project will chart opportunities for tourism development in Ajman over the next five years, the official said.

The project will also include a survey on sectors of hospitality, entertainment, food and beverage, and transport in Ajman, Al Nuaimi added.

The northern emirate, which did not specify a visitor target in the road map, said previously that it expected 15 per cent growth in visitors from 2013.

The number of guests across hotels and hotels apartments in Ajman also rose by 46 per cent in the first half this year to reach 415,000, compared to 285,000 in the same period last year, the authority said.

Meanwhile, the number of hotel guests in the first half of 2014 reached 272,000, compared to 150,000 guests during the same period of 2013, the government said.

Guests in hotel apartments increased by 10,000 to reach 145,000 in the first half of 2014, against 135,000 in the first half of 2013.

Ajman has seen rising interest from hotel operators and developers due to overcrowding of the market in neighbouring Dubai and Sharjah.

US-based hospitality group Starwood Hotels & Resorts opened its first hotel Ajman Saray in the northern emirate this year, expanding its luxury portfolio.

Real estate developers too have been tapping into Ajman while mega property projects such as Ajman Pearl, that were put on hold, have resumed construction.

One of the largest projects under construction in the emirate is Al Zorah, a development by Lebanon’s Solidère Group.

The 5.4-million square metre site will feature luxury villas, resort hotels, serviced apartments and apartment complexes in a landscaped and golfing environment surrounding the Ajman waterfront and mangroves.