AJMAN // The tiny northern emirate of Ajman is aiming to punch above its weight with a host of new five-star hotel developments and cultural attractions aimed at helping it compete with the likes of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, tourism experts say.
Kai Schukowski, manager of the Ajman Kempinski, the emirate’s oldest luxury hotel, said while the recent openings of the Fairmont and Ajman Saray were a step in the right direction, there was still work to do.
“The new hotels change the destination, so we welcome them on board. People before were asking where Ajman was, but now there is more awareness,” he said. “More people are banging the drum and making noise.”
However, with only one cultural attraction, the Ajman Museum, it remains a challenge to draw visitors from Dubai and even northern emirates such as Sharjah, RAK and Fujairah that each have an array of historical and cultural sites to explore.
“The corniche redevelopment will make a big difference,” said Mr Schukowski.
“When you drive down now there you see KFC and Krispy Kreme but it doesn’t give that feeling of a holiday destination. But when you have a nice ambiance where people can go and walk and experience the place, compared to just staying in a resort, it will make a huge difference.”
Michele Frignani, general manager of the Ajman Saray, agreed that the government needed to invest in more entertainment and cultural activities, although places such as the fish market could be promoted.
Ajman’s plans to invest Dh2.1 billion to build an international airport, with its first flight due in 2018. It will be a “major factor to bring more people to the emirate and will boost tourism,” Mr Frignani said.
Faisal Al Nuaimi, head of Ajman’s tourism authority, said the corniche would be connected to the Ajman marina behind the Royal Court. “This area will be very similar to The Walk in Dubai, lots of high-end franchises, restaurant chains and retail shops with three-storey buildings around the area.”
The Dh100 million marina will be the largest tourism project in the emirate. Promoting Emirati culture and heritage, however, are key parts of the emirate’s tourism masterplan, Mr Al Nuaimi said.
“We are working on a heritage village and we have got the initial approval from Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid, Ruler of Ajman, for it to be developed behind Ajman Museum.”
Henny Schaefer, general manager of the Fairmont hotel, said much of Ajman’s charm came from its reputation as “a rustic emirate”.
“People come up here to relax, away from the craziness of the city in Dubai,” he said. “Right now, the resort is the destination.”
The seafront hotel, which opened early last month, offers a daily shuttle-bus service to Dubai and is always full.
“For people who’ve not been here before, they like to see Dubai. They stay with us for a beach vacation though. People are coming here and using it as a base to get to the other emirates.”
mswan@thenational.ae
