May 10–The Dubai-based hospitality group has 40 properties in operation, including hotels, hotel apartments and resorts in the UAE, Bahrain, Oman and India.
The Ramee Group of Hotels and Resorts is set to open two five star hotels in the UAE in the next three years with a total investment of more than Dh700 million, chairman and managing director Raj Shetty told in an interview during Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which concluded last Thursday.
The Dubai-based hospitality group has 40 properties in operation, including hotels, hotel apartments and resorts in the UAE, Bahrain, Oman and India. It also operates a shopping mall in Chennai, India.
“These new hotels will be our first five star properties in the UAE. Late last year, we opened our first five star hotel in GCC, which is located in Bahrain and it’s the tallest hotel there,” Shetty explained.
In 2012, the Group opened its first five star hotel in Pune, India, he added.
He mentioned that the group has 3,080 keys under operations in total at the moment and two new properties will add further 515 keys in the UAE market.
Talking about competition and influx of new inventory in the market, he replied: “Competition is good it keeps awaking us. The UAE and specially Dubai is always booming in any circumstances, no matter what size of inventory is coming to the market but at the same time number of tourists are also increasing.”
Dubai has an advantage of being closer to Europe and Asia with its strategic location, he said, adding that the country is also very close to neighbouring Gulf countries. The city has a lot to offer for all age group people including kids, he said. It has deserts safari, beautiful beaches, world-class shopping malls, and children entertainment as well, he added.
Talking about the infrastructure, Shetty said Dubai has everything in terms of transport, specially state-of-the art airport and its own airlines — Emirates and flydubai — contribute a lot to bring hotel guests here.
Regarding occupancy level, he said this year occupancy is very good as “we will be reaching 85 per cent to over 90 per cent in 2014”. Last year was also not bad, but this year is really good, he added.
Regarding further expansion in untapped Gulf or Middle East markets, he said: “We are concentrating on Dubai and India at the moment. Our first five star property in Dubai is under designing stage and we are planning to start construction as well on it.”
“I think this is the best time to focus on Dubai only because of upcoming World Expo2020. It’s a mega event and we should start preparation now to meet more than 20 million guest demand,” he explained.
Talking about ATM, he said this time it looks fantastic. Compared to last year its bigger and busier, he said, adding that it’s a meeting point and for all stakeholders at one point. The group is looking for another four-star property in Bahrain after the successful experience of the latest five star hotel, he said, adding: “We have one in the pipeline in India as well.”
Providing details of upcoming two five star hotels in the UAE, he said that Ramee Grand Hotel &Spa will be located in Business Bay area with total rooms of 265. It is estimated that total investment on this five star hotel will be Dh380 million and its opening is expected in 2017.
Another five star hotel will be on Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. The name is same ‘Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa’ and will have 250 keys. Expected opening is again in 2017 and investment would be around Dh320 million.
IPL games
The UAE hosted 22 games of popular cricket tournament Indian Premier League in the UAE at three venues — Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. “It was a great support from the government for the industry. I must say it was an extra bonus for us and I hope it will come again next year in the UAE.” Responding a question, he said: “Why not full IPL.”
He said that it was also a great opportunity for all cricket fans in the UAE. It was a 15-day IPL extravaganza in the country from April 16-30 when the first 20 matches were moved to the UAE as it clashed with the federal elections in India.
