Le Meridien flags new business in Kuwait

May 09, 03 | 5:29 pm

Le Meridien flags new business in Kuwait

Expansion project in tandem with emirate’s economic growth

With a new management contract for the Ritz Kuwait Hotel, plus two additional properties scheduled to open in the emirate within a year, Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts is confident that a new era of economic growth has arrived for the northern Gulf state.

According to Hannes Yaghi, the Ritz will be rebranded as Le Meridien Kuwait following a nine-month renovation, and is the first stage in a six-project, three-year expansion plan for Le Meridien in Kuwait, encompassing 450 rooms plus a conference centre.

“This strategic deal with A’amal Holdings may seem ambitious, but long-term we see great potential in the emirate, and not just for traditional corporate business,” he said.

“Kuwait has quietly been establishing itself as a regional tourism centre, pouring money in to landscaping the seafront, new family entertainment centres, shopping malls that are as competitive as any in the area, plus extensive resort facilities.”

Yaghi pointed to the four malls expected to open this summer, as well as the massive redevelopment project at Kuwait International Airport as further concrete signs of the expected boom in visitor numbers to the emirate.

He added that the commitment by authorities to the conference market is another signal that Kuwait is determined to make its mark on the global events scene.

“As part of our expansion plan, we have committed to adding a second tower and purpose-built conference centre to Le Meridien Kuwait next year, as well as launching Le Meridien’s Art+Tech design concept in two new properties, the first a 70-room hotel on Fahad Al Salem Street and the second a 120-unit property in the Mubarakia area.” 

The Art+Tech concept was launched two years ago, and combines designer elements in the décor with the latest technology to provide a contemporary business hotel style that is winning international acclaim.

“The hotel sector in Kuwait has been somewhat static for years,” said Yaghi. 
“It is reassuring to see new names coming in to the market now, but we feel that Le Meridien, in conjunction with A’amal Holdings, will be the first group to inject a dynamic edge to the hospitality industry here – a move that reflects the revival of the emirate as a regional powerhouse.”

Meanwhile, Le Meridien will also be innovating with its rate policy at the Ritz Kuwait, operating at five-star standards but outside of the rate agreement to which the majority of the upscale hotels subscribe.

“We can offer every facility for the business traveller, and the superior standards of service for which Le Meridien is renowned, but have set a target of realistic pricing in accordance with international practices,” claimed Yaghi.