The UK-based Le Meridien hotel group is expecting a 30 percent increase in revenues from its United Arab Emirates (UAE) operations in the year 2003. Following the announcement of three new projects and a management contract in the Arabian Gulf country, the group forecasted next year’s revenues to reach 183 million Emirati dirhams ($49.8 million).
The UAE expansion and refurbishment plan, amounting to more than Dhs85 million, is running through each of the company's four existing hotels in the country—three in Dubai and one in Abu Dhabi—said Le Meridien's Managing Director for the Middle East & West Asia Sami Zoghbi. In the past six months, the group’s hotels have welcomed more than 150,000 guests who stayed for nearly 400,000 nights.
Further investment has been made in a new property in Abu Dhabi and Al-Aqah Beach Resort in Fujairah, to the tune of Dhs100 million. Upon the completion of further projects in the pipeline, some 920 rooms will have been added in the UAE in 2003—a 70 percent increase on the current room stock of 1,320.
“Le Meridien is geared to keep abreast of Dubai's own accelerated development… the staging of the IMF/World Bank convention next year will launch the emirate as a leading international conference venue,” he said.
He indicated the group was looking to introduce two new brands within the next 12 months, giving Le Meridien. “We are looking at developing the deluxe Le Royal tier in the UAE, while remaining equally committed to our core Meridien brand.”
Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa is in the third and final phase of a Dhs200-million expansion project. The first phase saw the opening of the Tower, including the Caracalla spa and health club, two new restaurants and the tea lounge. The second phase resulted in the creation of two new restaurants and the enhancement of the gardens and the pool bar.
The last stage of the renovation involves the refurbishment of all the bedrooms in the main building, and will bring the rest of the hotel in line with Le Royal branding. Scheduled for May to August, the work is not expected to have any impact on the hotel's summer targets.
Le Meridien's flagship property in the UAE now offers 500 rooms, 14 restaurants and bars, two pools, a spa and recreation facilities. A new look is also being considered for the group's second beachfront hotel in Dubai, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, on a project to enhance its resort facilities. The hotel's Retro restaurant is undergoing a complete upgrade and expansion, set to add more seating and an evolved image to the hip evening dining spot with a South American flavor
Meanwhile, Le Meridien Dubai is set to undergo refurbishment of all of its existing rooms, as well as adding another 200 rooms, with a Dhs50-million expansion project on the drawing board, scheduled for completion in 2003. Once approved, the existing ballroom is to undergo renovation and expansion, doubling capacity to 1,000 at an investment of Dhs12 million, while three more restaurants will open by early next year, showcasing Spanish, Lebanese and Indian cuisine and taking the hotel's dining outlets to a total of 17.
In Abu Dhabi, in the existing core brand hotel, Le Meridien Abu Dhabi, a new Sports Café is being developed at a cost of Dhs2.5 million, and the gym has been upgraded at a cost of Dhs600,000, while the spa area is scheduled for imminent upgrading. Feasibility studies are also underway that could encompass a whole room, outlet and landscaping renovation: a decision on the project is expected next month.
The latest addition to the company's portfolio in the UAE capital is the Abu Dhabi Grand. Le Meridien has just signed an agreement to resume management of the property, which will be upgraded and re-branded as a Royal Meridien. “This will be Le Meridien's flagship Le Royal property in the capital, and reveals the extent of our commitment to the Le Royal brand. Central to the refurbishment will be new F&B concepts and superior butler-centric service standards that are core elements of a Le Royal Meridien.” Zoghbi said.
The group’s new beach property in Fujairah, Le Meridien Al-Aqah Beach Resort, which opens in December, is located on a two-kilometer beach fronting the Indian Ocean. The hotel is a joint venture between Emirates airline and the government of Fujairah. The 219-room Le Meridien Al-Aqah Beach Resort will offer two pools, children's club, health club, specialty restaurants, Royal Club executive floor, business center and conference rooms.
Landscaped grounds include a amphitheatre and stage, a free-form pool with waterfall feature plus a dedicated children's pool, three tennis courts, a water sports center and a dive center, facilities for beach volleyball and an al fresco bar and restaurant.
Le Méridien is a global hotel group with a portfolio of 145 luxury and upscale hotels (41,630 rooms) in 55 countries worldwide. Its properties are located throughout Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. The company has a strategic alliance with JAL-owned Nikko Hotels. Headquartered in London, Le Méridien was purchased by Nomura International plc's Principal Finance Group in July 2001 and merged with Principal Hotels, acquired by Nomura in February 2001. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
