A world of luxury at Kempinski Ajman

Offering the perfect getaway in the UAE, Kempinski Ajman is the first 5-star hotel in the Middle East and Africa region established 18 years ago where a world of luxury unfolds. Highly popular among Russian and CIS markets, it also has the highest number of repeat guests for whom it is a home away from home. Aviamost team met the General Manager of Kempinski Ajman Kai Schukowski at the ATM 2016 to know its plans for the Chinese market

We know you are one of the oldest established hotels in Ajman, tell us something more.

As you mentioned we were the first 5-star hotel established 18 yrs ago and the first Kempinski in the Middle East and whole Africa region. So despite the competition with new hotels, the hotel is doing very well as it brings new awareness into the Emirate

Ajman Tourism is doing a marvelous job and together we can bring more guests to the Emirate.  

What challenges do you face?

The destination sells but despite being one of the safest places, as it’s surrounded by more politically tense countries people think that its impacted. The overall challenge we have is the F & B as we want to also sell the whole experience not just the rooms.

What are your top sources?

Being German so the German market, Austria, Switzerland, it’s strong in Russia, CIS, Eastern Europe and good focus on ME and we also see an influx of Chinese they tend to stay one or two nights and then go to Dubai but we see strong potential.

With the Russian market slowing going down has it affected you?

The purchasing power of the rubble is almost 50% of last year, and the Russian market is going down despite that they come two or three times a year as they love the hotel. We had an interesting family last time where the parents said want to try the new hotel which has come up in Ajman but their kids said ‘No mama! We cannot go there!’ They have known the hotel as they have been coming here since they were two, or three years old so much so they grew up here and for them it is like a second home. Of course we have to adjust the rates to be a little competitive but we have a strong name in Russia and the hotel in Ajman is well established but we are happy to say we are the hotel with the highest number of repeat guests.

That’s great! What are your plans for Chinese guests?

Obviously F & B so we have the Chinese breakfast. We have the only Chinese restaurant which is the only one in Northern Emirates something we are proud of with a Chinese chef and Chinese staff and Chinese speaker and local Chinese residents too like to come here.  

How has 2016 been so far?

We are on the right way. We cannot change the world economy but we can change our approach and strategy and we have made some adjustments but overall for the first quarter of the year, results are coming in and the company is happy, the guests are happy and we are optimistic that 2016 will be another successful year.

What are your expectations for the rest of the year?

Summer is going to be very competitive and rates are coming down, and being in Ajman we have to follow them and the price incentive comes to Ajman. So there are added values and what we offer as added benefits and we are secluded and have our own USP. Already for September we have a very strong base for bookings. I think the last two quarters of the year we will finish strongly.