Rest As You Stay (Rays Hotel)

Unlike other businessmen, Idris Muhumed Sacad (Ina Cunaye), the most prominent businessman in Awdal region does not lack the courage to release his assets from the binding chains of wasteful doubts about of investments. What pronounces a feeling of special satisfaction for him is that even failure “if any” is necessary to achieve latter success. To bridge the gap, Idris started a number of private businesses in the region. These include the only modern hotel in Borama. Rays hotel - the first five-star hotel ever built in my hometown, Borama. This modern hotel which belongs to Idiris Cunaye has taken the reputation of our town to rarified height.

I remember we were still in summer last June and the rain came almost everyday. On lovely Sunday afternoon, I paid a short visit to Rays Hotel at the northern end of my town. In this summer afternoon, the whole world seemed beautiful. We had enjoyed a comfortable shower at noon that day, and now in the afternoon, the sun shone glaring down from a clear sky. Down in the north, the farmland stretching to the eastern grassy hill sides were laden with green leaved corn crops whose seeds have just taken roots. Far behind the farms, clumps of green trees were lining in front of the high mountains towering over the plains below. On the near side, the foreground of the farms was green leveled and grassed over. Young people were hanging about and walking across the open grass land. In the immediate neighboring area from the grass, the football stadium was occupied by two teams playing an afternoon match. Their relative fans were chanting supportive slogans and other spectators also crowded the stadium. The Rays Hotel tall building was standing against the sun as I was on my way to the hotel. This view cast a dreamlike aura of how beautiful my town is certain to be.

I finally ended up in front of the hotel gate. This time the sky was already aflame with the sunset. A flock of birds were flying over this same part of the hotel tall building that I could have already seen all the way back home. Rain would-be clouds were just forming the sky over this building. The iron gate of the hotel stone-built fence is open to a way that cuts across the eastern part of the hotel’s main building. On the either side of the way, several buildings are standing.

These buildings facing west and opposite the hotel gate are the laundry and the power station where an engine is roaring. The open foreground of these buildings is the parking area. I see cars lining up there. I am now entering the front gate of the hotel main building. On my right is the hotel manager’s office. The next door attached to the right of this office is the internet cafe where I see, through its glass-paned window a man with an awkward posture whose eyes are fixed on a computer screen in front of him. Further right the internet café is lined by a platform with an open front and roof that extends in a short distance. In this verandah, people occupy the chairs having drinks and some of them have dishes on tables in front of them. Some are entertained by TV program going on while others are making healthy conversations. Few steps in front of the verandah, there lies a square body of land with mowed green lawn. A fountain pumps out jets of water in the air and a model mountain with heavy black stone on it also occupy the area.

The hotel main building -modernly designed three floors- is just behind the fountain area. On the left side of the gate, there is the restaurant part. Along this side, small green roofed huts are also standing. The hotel has got conference halls, stores and a mosque behind the main building in addition.

The hotel provides a wide range of services for both local people and foreign guests. It has got luxurious sleeping rooms and delicious dishes and drinks. In addition to this, internet and laundry services are also available.

The hotel is staffed mainly by university graduates. Ibrahim Saeed Elmi, the current hotel manager directs his power of motivation and leadership to the well-disciplined staff that runs day-by-day activities of the hotel. The hotel customers are also satisfied with the services they are rendered by the hotel. Rays has so far earned reputation for its sound management

In conclusion, Rays hotel is not only an asset to our towns reputation, but it can also serve as an illustrative example for the typical businesses that are open for investments here in Awdal Region. Also, the hotel has created a conducive environment for attracting many guests to visit Borama and Awdal Region. Most importantly, it has created an employment opportunities for many Awdalians. Finally, I call upon Awdalian business people to better contribute to the development and economic growth of their region, which is lagging behind other regions of Somaliland in terms of businesses by making investments and starting businesses like Rays Hotel.


The pen of Ahmed Abib Hayir
4th Year Student
Amoud University
School of Business & Public Administration
E-mail: hayir89@hotmail.com