Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
spotlight on 45<br />
Talking...<br />
JA<br />
Resorts<br />
& Hotels<br />
In conversation with... Thomas Grundner, Vice<br />
President Sales & Marketing, JA Resorts and Hotels<br />
QTell us about the JA brand<br />
A: With a 38-year history as a<br />
homegrown hospitality brand, we’ve now<br />
announced major expansion plans. Our<br />
company vision is to be recognised as<br />
the leading provider of unique getaway<br />
experiences in remarkable<br />
locations around the Indian<br />
Ocean and key global<br />
destinations. We<br />
create memories<br />
across eight distinct<br />
properties, from<br />
snorkelling in<br />
a coral reef to<br />
mountain ziplining<br />
to exploring<br />
global cuisines.<br />
QCan you sum<br />
up the ethos of JA<br />
Resorts & Hotels?<br />
A: Do the work you love<br />
and love the work you do. Our<br />
management style is ‘the JA Way’, which<br />
encourages associates to embrace<br />
individuality and work with positivity–<br />
because they truly love what they do.<br />
It helps us stand out and be fluid as we<br />
navigate change.<br />
QWhat are your USPs?<br />
A: The variety of unique experiences<br />
we offer, the relaxed JA Way service<br />
and our locations. JA Hatta Fort Hotel is<br />
Dubai’s only mountain resort; we have two<br />
luxurious private islands in the Seychelles<br />
and Maldives, and two prime Dubai<br />
locations in Jumeirah Beach Residence and<br />
Dubai’s largest experiential resort,<br />
JA The Resort.<br />
QHow do you help<br />
agents?<br />
A: We recently<br />
launched an online<br />
training course for<br />
UK travel agents<br />
to highlight our<br />
product. We have<br />
strong UK sales<br />
representation<br />
through Gill Shannon<br />
and Louisa Smith,<br />
ensuring the trade is<br />
educated on the portfolio.<br />
Fam trips are hosted throughout the<br />
year and we offer verified agent discounts<br />
on jaresorts.com using the code JATRAV.<br />
QWhat is JA’s policy on sustainability?<br />
A: It’s very important. We are<br />
removing all plastic bottles, replacing them<br />
with our own bottling plants and glassware<br />
and rolling out a food wastage programme<br />
which will reduce our waste drastically.<br />
QWhat are the latest developments<br />
agents need to know?<br />
A: JA The Resort is Dubai’s largest<br />
experience resort, and by September<br />
20<strong>19</strong> JA Beach Hotel will be completely<br />
renovated and the new JA Lake View Hotel<br />
will open. These additions make it a world<br />
class, all-encompassing resort with one<br />
million square metres of land and private<br />
beach, a 104-berth marina and a nine-hole<br />
golf course. There are over 40 activities like<br />
water sports, fishing, seaplanes, tennis and<br />
shooting, plus 25 restaurants and bars.<br />
QWhat does the future hold for JA and<br />
do you plan to expand anywhere else?<br />
A: We are expanding into China in a joint<br />
venture and are launching five or six very<br />
upscale hotels, as well as 30-plus upper<br />
midscale lifestyle hotels called ‘Big Bed by<br />
JA’. We will also open two luxury lodges in<br />
Tanzania and are exploring a 500-room<br />
property in Sri Lanka. <br />
sellingtravel.co.uk
Change language