Leading hotel group endorses Dubai growth

Le Meridien looks for new opportunities in region

Following several years of spectacular growth for its Dubai properties, Le Meridien Hotels is actively negotiating new resort management contracts in the United Arab Emirates, according to Russel Sharpe, senior vice president, sales & marketing, Middle East & West Asia.

"The recent prediction from the Dubai government anticipating visitor arrivals of more than 10 million by 2010 – up from the previous estimate of six million – is encouraging for everyone involved in the hospitality sector here," he said.

"We are seeing more and more new airline routes opening up new markets for Dubai – not only regional links in Germany and the UK for instance, but also increased capacity in to major new source markets such as the United States, where Delta has committed to the Arabian Gulf for the first time."

Exceptional occupancies during the past nine months at both its city properties and resort hotels have also endorsed Le Meridien’s strategy to open up new destinations in the region, in anticipation of increased tourism spin-off from the Dubai hub.

"As well as Le Meridien Aqqa Beach Resort Fujairah – scheduled to open in March – we have also looked at Ras Al Khaimah and farther afield in Oman," said Le Meridien regional managing director, Michel Noblet.

"There are other potential contracts in the pipeline that demonstrate investor confidence in the Dubai tourism star and underline the fact it is no flash in the pan – the Arabian Gulf is truly winning merit worldwide as a major winter sunshine destination, as well as a cultural, sports and shopping destination too."

With more than 1,100 rooms in Dubai, Le Meridien is also the largest international operator of beachfront accommodation and its hotels have repeatedly run at 100 per cent occupancy in the past year, most recently during the April holiday period.

In addition, the group’s fourth property in the country – Le Meridien Abu Dhabi – is also gaining in popularity, particularly due to its restaurant redevelopment and spa packages.

"We can offer something for every taste at our hotels in the UAE, from award-winning spas at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa to deep-sea fishing at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, and cuisine from around the world at the Forte Village complex in Le Meridien Dubai and at Le Meridien Abu Dhabi," commented Noblet.

"It’s reflective of the wholesale appeal of the UAE with its range of holiday options from the active to the horizontal, sports or shopping, for travellers from overseas as well as from the region, for lovers of sand and of sea.

"The potential here is enormous and Le Meridien has determined to stay at the forefront of developments as part of its global strategy to increase the number of hotels and resorts to 250 by 2005," he said.