Iftikhar Hamdani, General Manager, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman
ABOUT IFTIKHAR
Iftikhar Hamdani started his hotel career in 1994 in Pakistan before moving to the UAE in 2000 with Coral International Hotels. He joined Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman in 2009 as director of sales and marketing and progressed to GM and then Cluster General Manager for Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman and Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman. Hamdani is also “Brand Ambassador of Wyndham Hotel Group” because of the sustainable practices he has initiated at Ramada.
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WHY WAS HE NOMINATED?
In addition to his GM role, Hamdani spearheads Ramada Ajman’s social activities and environmental initiatives. He’s formed an Urban Farm near the property, teamed up with Al Ihsan Charity to share excess food and implemented energy saving bulbs and aerators in the taps. Most impressively, he launched the first ever Zero Landfill Project amongst hotels in the UAE in July 2012. The Zero Landfill Project intends to recycle and reduce the hotels’ waste, which is 80 kg to 1000kg daily. The initial efforts generated positive results as the property nearly reaches 90% in terms of waste diversion. The hotel has no commercial objective on this project, although is getting the benefit of savings on garbage clearance.
WHAT DID HIS TEAM SAY?
“Mr. Iftikhar is truly an energetic man, considering his role as GM, getting into sports along with his team, and organizing an initiative that will truly benefit the environment. He launched the 1st Zero Landfill among hotels in UAE. He is the kind of manager that could squeeze his resources and time, even converting some area from the hotel’s vast parking space into an “Urban Farm” where freshly harvested vegetables are now served in the hotel’s kitchen. Amazingly, he succeeded.” Mayda Solatre, employee.
WHAT DID HIS GUESTS SAY?
“An environmental enthusiast is what I could describe him as; He acts responsibly towards the environment, works towards equitable and fair business practices and brings to life products and services with lower impacts on the natural environment. I am repeatedly staying at the hotel and kept my loyalty with them.” Robert Sulman.
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