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Rajiv Ratnarajah Assistant Vice President & Head - Project Planning & Project Management [PPM], Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts
"I had the pleasure of working with Vinod Natesan when he was the owners representative from RAKIA as the Head of the Tourism Office. Vinod was involved in the capacity of the clients representative and project director for the proposed Banyan Tree in RAK as well as oversaw the overall development chain of all new hospitality and media projects by RAKIA. Vinod is an extremely well rounded person who ensured all aspects of a development was considered including providing valuable design inputs for the project. While Vinod was not an engineer by training, he was passionate about the brand "Banyan Tree" and understood its vision, being an advertising professional. He was always committed to ensuring that commercial considerations did not cannibalize on the architectural and design aesthetics and in many ways therefore contributed to the final consumer experience at the RAK property being up to the Banyan Tree consumer expectations."
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Khaleej Times dated august 13th 2007 to vinodnatesan @yahoo.com
Dear Vinod,
We are sorry to learn that you will be leaving RAK and that you are relocating in India.
It was a pleasure meeting you and sharing your vision of RAK.
Do keep in touch.
With best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
BURJOR PATEL
VICE PRESIDENT-MARKETING
----- Original Message ----
From: Vinod Kunj
To: vinodnatesan@yahoo.com
Cc: natesanvinod@hotmail.com
Sent: Saturday, February 10, 2007 8:08:37 PM
Subject: RAK Half Marathon on 9th February 2007
Dear IRMAN/SMSIAN/LOYOLITE,
Got this mail from a contact.
Congratulations for the Ras-Al-Kahiamah HALF marathon.
FULL marks to you.
You have done yourself proud!
Cheers
A well-wisher
A sample of letters that reflect the success and appreciation that came my way. My job was to promote the Emirate as a "tourist destination". It was however lacking in infrastructure and rooms. I therefore redefined my job as promoting "tourism investments". The World Bank Investor Conference in May 2005 was the starting point. With Dina Kasrawi of the World Bank leading the team, we did a splendid job in terms of generating investor interest. I was able to convert the interest into investments in Marjan Island, a cause way project for hospitality and real estate projects. B2B meets like the ITB in Berlin, the AHIC in Dubai, GITOF in Bahrain were used to successfully market Ras Al Khaimah to hospitality chains and hotel investors.
The land price in Marjan went up by 33%, after the announcement of the Media City and the announcement of the Hollywood Film City. The Century Media City and the Hollywood Film City were initiatives I had taken and with the blessings of the Deputy Ruler HH Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qassimi and his Advisor Dr Khater Massad, I was able to carry it forward.
Marketing the Emirate involved one to one presentations to delegations with the help and often under the aegis of Consulates. My presentations were "professional" and in great demand!! the letters above indicate that. In the bargain, I did have the privilege to present to the Ambassdor of UK, Sir Richard Makepeace, as also Consultate delegations from France, China, Bulgaria, etal.
The growth of the Media City was a function of investor friendliness and removal of red tape. having been a licensee in Dubai, I had a lot of consumer insights to use to my advantage. The Media City was a huge success with nearly three new licenses being issued in a day (means three new companies were formed and office space leased!!)
