Le Meridien launches ‘3 4 2’ promotion

Welcome boost for regional travel

Moving quickly to counter the downturn in long-haul travel, upscale hotel operator, Le Meridien, has introduced a ‘3 4 2’ promotion, offering a free night for every two booked at its properties in the Middle East and West Asia.

"To encourage both corporate and leisure travel just now, we have taken this opportunity to give something extra to those that choose to stay with us," explained Russel Sharpe, regional senior vice president, sales and marketing, for the group.

"The offer is effective from October 1, and will run until further notice. It covers both resort hotels such as the new Le Meridien Sharm-el-Sheikh and the group’s Dubai properties as well as city hotels in Cairo, the Levant, Saudi Arabia and India.

"We are particularly aiming this promotion at both new and existing regional customers, as indications are that intra-regional travel will remain buoyant and make up for any shortfall in visits by longer-haul travellers," added Sharpe.

"Our Le Meridien sales team is currently engaged in a major sales blitz around the Gulf, and a major message for all our local markets is that, in fact, there has never been a better time to travel around the Middle East and West Asia region."

Current rates in the UAE include Dh500 per night for a double room at Le Meridien Dubai and Le Meridien Mina Seyahi; Dh450 at Le Meridien Abu Dhabi and Dh600 at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, while Le Royal Meridien Bahrain has a BD68 room rate and Le Meridien Jeddah is SAR445.

In the Levant, daily rates start at JD57 in Amman and US$55 in Lattakia, Syria, while Le Meridien Beirut is offering a room rate of US$80 and prices in Egypt range from $65 at Le Meridien hotels in Makadi Bay and Sharm-el-Sheikh to $100/105 at the three Cairo properties.

In India, discount prices start at $90 per night at Le Meridien Bangalore and Le Meridien Pune, rising to $109 in Cochin and $155 at Le Royal Meridien Mumbai.

In addition, Le Meridien is extending its ‘Challenge’ promotion, an incentive aimed at travel agency staff that rewards them with a free weekend stay for every 20 bookings made.

"Now, travel agent staff qualify for a free weekend for two in any Le Meridien hotel worldwide once they have made 10 bookings at our hotels in the Middle East and West Asia," said Sharpe.

"In this way, not only are we offering a very good deal for our customers with a free night for every two booked, but we are also encouraging travel agents to think first of Le Meridien when anyone is travelling around the region.

"With 23 hotels spread throughout the Middle East and West Asia, we have an unbeatable selection of deluxe options – at very special rates."

Due to government controlled rate agreements, hotels in Bahrain and Kuwait are not participating in the ‘3 4 2’ promotion, although Le Royal Meridien Bahrain is offering a BD68 room rate and the KD85 rate at Le Meridien Kuwait includes room upgrade where available.