Le Meridien Dubai clocks best all round performance in five years during 2003

Le Méridien Dubai has announced extremely upbeat business results for 2003, with year-round room occupancy standing at an impressive 92 per cent.

The high room occupancy levels were also matched by an increase in Revenue Per Available Room (Rev Par), and Food & Beverage (F&B) revenue.

A senior official of the hotel said that in 2003 Le Meridien Dubai clocked its best all-round performance in the past five years, despite the extremely challenging business environment that the local and regional hospitality industry faced, in the backdrop of the tensions in Iraq.

Shujaat Yar, Business Development Director, Le Méridien Dubai, said: "The year 2003 was a challenging period for the industry, especially in the initial days of the Iraq imbroglio. While business during this period was impacted, the overall effect on our business was minimal as the rebound was quick and strong," he said.

"Key to our strong performance in 2003 was our twin strategy to develop business opportunities in feeder markets, while continuing to focus on markets that we have historically been strong in such as Europe and the Asia Pacific region. During the year we also recorded an increased inflow of business and leisure travelers from across the GCC."

"Major international events held in Dubai during the year, including the Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the World Bank & International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the Dubai Air Show, resulted in increased levels of business visitors to Dubai which in turn further bolstered our performance," he added.

"The year also saw the hotel rolling out exciting promotions and forging closer ties with local and international partners, including Emirates Airline," he said.

Elaborating on the highlights of hotel's business performance in 2003, Yar further said: "During the year Rev Par, grew by a healthy 12 per cent, while F&B increased by more than 11 per cent. In fact an average of 1700 diners visited our F&B outlets each day during the year, which only validates our continued focus on enhancing our F&B offerings," he said.

During 2003, Le Méridien Dubai added two more restaurants to its portfolio of F&B outlets with the opening of Bodega and Al Mijana, offering specialty Spanish and Lebanese cuisine respectively and bringing the total number of F&B outlets at the hotel to 15. Also in keeping with the needs of business travelers, the hotel made substantial investments in enhancing the technological infrastructure of the hotel by installing wireless connectivity Hotspots in key areas.

The hotel also revamped the Le Mirage Sports and Health Club during the course of the year. With its state-of-the-art fitness centre and other recreational facilities, Le Mirage is extremely popular among both the hotel's guests and resident members of Dubai. 

Adding to these existing leisure facilities, the hotel will shortly announce the opening of its Natural Elements Spa and Fitness, the philosophy of which will be one that cares for the whole person, offering holistic treatments and enhancing the synergy between mind, body & soul.

Yar further said that the key role played by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) in attracting tourists also catalyzed the growth of the hotel industry in Dubai with Le Méridien Dubai reaping substantial benefits.

"Le Meridien Dubai has always been keen on playing a role in promoting Dubai across regional and overseas markets. We will continue to be aggressive in promoting Destination Dubai in the coming years complementing the tourism promotion efforts of entities like DTCM," Shujaat Yar said.

Le Méridien Dubai is strategically located near the Dubai International Airport. The hotel offers guests a choice of 383 elegantly furnished rooms and suites. Also included is the exclusive Royal Club, which offers guests a host of exceptional personalized services and facilities.

The hotel is uniquely set in 38 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens with a choice of 15 F&B outlets situated both within the main hotel and the picturesque setting of Meridien Village, replete with fountains and piazza style terraces.