Le Meridien Hotel Dubai achieves record 96 per cent average room occupancy in 2002

Shujaat Yar, Business Development Director, Le Meridien Dubai, said that despite an extremely challenging business environment for the regional hotel industry in 2002, predominantly marked by increased competition and declining margins, Le Meridien Dubai had been successful in substantially outperforming the previous year on all business aspects.

"The substantial increase in room occupancy was matched by a healthy growth in Revenue Per Available Room (Rev Par). Food & Beverage (F&B) revenue also rose by an unprecedented 15 per cent, with an average of 1700 diners frequenting our Food & Beverage outlets each day."

Shujaat Yar further said that the months of March and October were traditionally busy months for the Dubai hotel industry on account of the Dubai Shopping Festival and the trade exhibition season respectively. "While the hotel achieved 100 per cent occupancy rates during these months, it further succeeded in averaging a 95 per cent occupancy rate during the relatively slower summer season."

Attributing to part of the hotel's strong performance during the year were the efforts of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Shujaat Yar explained that the body had played a key role in promoting the tourism industry in Dubai to regional and global audiences.

"In 2002 the hotel recorded a substantial increase in business and leisure travelers from key markets across the GCC. During the year we also launched several new and exciting promotions and strengthened our ties with key business partners in local and international markets. We also were successful in aggressively marketing the hotel in new feeder markets across the region and Europe," he added.

Strategically located near the Dubai International Airport, Le Meridien Dubai 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 14 F&B outlets situated both within the main hotel and the picturesque setting of Meridien Village, replete with fountains and piazza style terraces. The Le Mirage Sports and Health Club, with its state-of-the-art fitness centre and other recreational facilities, is also very popular among the hotel's guests.

Shujaat Yar said that hospitality industry in the emirate had a responsibility to play a pivotal role in supplementing the efforts of bodies like DTCM to create additional demand for Destination Dubai.

"Dubai hotels are internationally acclaimed for their exquisite and detailed architecture; location; scenic views; ultra modern facilities; outstanding hospitality; and unparalleled leisure facilities. We are confident that in the coming years Le Meridien Dubai will continue to play a major role in attracting visitors from all over the globe into Dubai," he added.

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