Le Meridien UAE properties launch GCC roadshow

Le Meridien's seven UAE properties have joined forces in a thrust to reinforce the luxury hotel group's dominant presence in the United Arab Emirates where Le Meridien manages a room stock of almost 2,500 rooms in three emirates.

The 20-member strong roadshow kicks off in Qatar (on Sunday February 2) before moving on to Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. The team will also visit travel agents and corporate customers in the UAE.

The initiative is just one of a number of cluster marketing activities planned in 2003 to focus the promotion of the UAE to neighbouring markets. Intra-Arabian travel has long since been identified as an important sector by Le Meridien and the emirates' tourism bodies, including Dubai's Department of  Tourism and Commerce Marketing.

In Dubai, the Le Meridien flag flies on two beach resorts and two city hotels - including the all-suite property, Al Sondos Suites by Le Meridien. Meanwhile, in the capital, Abu Dhabi, the group has two hotels under management with the recent introduction of the Abu Dhabi Grand. The landmark pre-eminent  business property is soon to be rebranded as Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi, following a major refurbishment and extension programme.

Then in the east coast emirate of Fujairah, Le Meridien is the first international operator to open a resort hotel for more than 20 years, with the December launch of 154-room, beachfront Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort.

The roadshow comes at a time of aggressive, yet targeted growth, for the luxury European hotel operator. With more than 140 hotels and resorts worldwide, the regional Middle East and West Asia inventory is now nudging 15 per cent per cent of the network total, with 19 properties.

The region will continue to play a key role in the group's strategy to double the number of hotels by next year, which could see 40 hotels in the Middle East and India under Le Meridien management by 2004.