Le Meridien to open 15 hotels by 2005

Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts is planning to set up 15 properties in the country by 2005.

"We will have at least 15 hotels in the country by 2005, becoming the largest international chain of hotels and resorts in India," said Ashok Ummat, senior vice-president (finance and development), West Asia, Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts

Ummat was in Jaipur for the inauguration of the 120-room Le Meridien, here on December 17. The group is planning to open hotels in new areas like Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Goa and Chandigarh. "The potential of these places has not been properly harnessed," Ummat said.

Le Meridien manages properties in eight cities in India including Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Mumbai, Pune, New Delhi, Ahmedabad and Kovalam (Kerala). The hotels in Ahmedabad and Kovalam are under renovation and will be re-branded and launched by early 2004.

"The Indian subcontinent is one of the prime regions for the growth and development of our brand," Ummat said. The addition of Jaipur hotel was in line with the company's endeavour to double the number of properties in the region by December, 2004, he added.

Asking the government to liberalise the aviation sector to boost the tourism industry, Ummat said, "We have immense faith in India's strong economic fundamentals indicative of growing prosperity. The number of business as well as casual visitors is showing a steady increase," he said.

India's tourism industry was poised to take a big leap, Ummat added.

"The government must bring a real 'open sky' policy to boost tourists' inflow. There is enough potential to increase the number of airline passenger arrivals by 300 per cent," he said. It would augment India's foreign exchange reserves and improve its "business image" globally, he added.

Remarking that the hospitality sector generated large job opportunities, he said, "We have 3,500 employees and on an average create jobs for thrice the number indirectly."  Ruling out tie-ups with any other hotel chain in the country, he said the company would enter into partnerships with individual units only.

AK Verma, general manager, Le Meridien, Jaipur, said the hotel was the biggest five-star hotel in north India, outside Delhi, and was likely to break even in the first year .

Facilities and amenities at Le Meridien, Jaipur, include a health club, spa treatment and meditation rooms, sauna and massage centre and 35-seat amphitheatre.

According to Verma, the hotel will have a conference facility to accommodate over 600 people, the largest conference facility in north India, outside of Delhi, and additional meeting rooms for 50 people and a boardroom.

The hotel reflected the traditions and culture of Rajasthan in its decor and ambience, said Ratan Sharma, managing director, of the Jaipur property.

The London-based Le Meridien is a global hotel group with a portfolio of over 135 luxury and upscale hotels comprising 36,000 rooms in 56 countries.

The company also has a strategic alliance with JAL-owned Nikko Hotels, providing loyal guests access to an additional 45 properties around the world.