UAE-based Ayla Hotels and Resorts Management Company will open two new properties in the first and second quarter of 2014, thus strengthening its lead position in the emirate.

A unit of Emirati hospitality group Nael & Bin Harmal Group, Ayla said the projects - the 4-star Ayla Bawadi hotel and the 5-star Ayla Grand Hotel - will help boost the hospitality group's portfolio and increase the growth of Al Ain as a destination.

Commenting on Ayla's performance in 2013, general manager Mohamed Soussan said: "For the second year in a row, it has managed to achieve highest performance in Al Ain despite tough competition."

"In its third operating year, Ayla has confirmed the position as a leading property in Alain by achieving overall occupancy above 85 per cent on yearly basis (throughout 2013) and has been ranked as number 1 in online review websites such as 'TripAdvisor and booking.com'," remarked Soussan.

"It is not easy to achieve great success that we did in first operating years, but it is even harder to maintain it and raise the bar higher. To keep us on the top and make new records every day, this is the true triumph," he added.

As part of its new business strategy, Ayla Hotels and Resorts has named an industry veteran Ahmad Al Araj as the new hotel manager.

He will be responsible for over-all processes and day-to-day operation of Ayla Hotel, while Mohamed Soussan, the general manager, will be focused on further growth and expansion of Ayla Hotels and Resorts.

Al Araj gained valuable experience as the director of sales marketing in international chains such as InterContinental, Rotana, Millennium and Copthorne and Cristal Hotels, while his last appointment was hotel manager in Iraq for Cristal Hotels.

Al Araj began his career in Al Ain and his appointments took him across Middle East including the UAE, Iraq and Sudan. His main focus in Ayla Hotel will be maintaining leading position in Al Ain market, guest’s satisfaction, profitability and employee morale, as well as overviewing the opening of Ayla Bawadi Hotel in the upcoming months.

Welcoming him into the group, Soussan said: “We are thrilled to have Ahmad join the team. He brings with him treasured experience to the company, especially at this exciting time of growth."

"Our first property in Al Ain is very important to us and he is perfect fit for this crucial role due to his career achievements," stated the top official.

"I look forward to working with Ahmad Al Araj as we continue to develop Ayla Hotels and keeping our prominent position as preferred corporate hotel in Al Ain," he added.-TradeArabia News Service