LE MERIDIEN ACTS TO ASSIST INDIAN EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

Dubai-based Regional Headoffice spearheads fund

Le Meridien, the luxury brand of Forte Hotels Group, has set up an emergency relief fund collecting money and supply donations from more than 300 properties worldwide to assist the victims of the Gujarat earthquake disaster in India.

The relief fund was opened last week by a $10,000 kick start from the group’s regional headoffice responsible for the Middle East and West Asia, including India, located in Dubai (United Arab Emirates). In addition, the staff members of the regional office have each contributed one day’s salary and a further amount has been pledged by Forte Hotels Group president and managing director, Bernard Lambert and chief executive, Antoine Cau.

The group’s hotels worldwide have already started to gather supplies which will include clothing, sheets, blankets, towels, mattresses and food supplies. While, many properties are planning activities during February with proceeds allocated to the Earthquake Relief Fund. Le Meridien Dubai is set to host a play by Indian director, Feroz Khan, while a Gala Dinner is being planned in each of the chain's five Indian properties to raise cash for the fund.

Ashok Ummat, Le Meridien’s senior vice president finance, Middle East and West Asia, said : "This fund has the full support of our management and I am confident that we will reach a significant cash amount by month end.

"This disaster has touched the whole Forte Hotels Group family and as the largest international operator of hotels in India we feel a particular responsibility towards the Indian community as a whole. We feel strongly that we must act in quick support to the people of Gujarat at this time of terrible human tragedy."

Money and vital supplies raised by the Meridien Earthquake Relief Fund will be handed to the Indian authorities responsible for the rehabilitation of the earthquake victims on February 28 2001.