Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts has announced a Dh196 million expansion of its flagship property, Le Meridien Dubai, located next to Dubai International Airport.
It is also likely to manage a new 300-room beachfront property at the Mina Seyahi.
Robert E. Riley, chief executive of Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts, told Gulf News yesterday his company wants to add between six and ten new properties in the region to its present portfolio of 24 hotels.
"Besides the expansion of the Le Meridien Dubai, which will add 600 new rooms to the existing 383, we are in close negotiations with the management of the Dubai International Marine Club to manage a 300-room new property at its plot on the beach.
"We have not yet finalised the talks. But it will be located next to the existing Le Meridien Mina Seyahi hotel."
Le Meridien operates four major hotels in Dubai. The chain will open its new hotel, Le Meridien Grosvener House, at Dubai Marina in June the first hotel to be opened there.
"The Middle East has faced a number of challenges during the last few years and showed its resilience. We are confident about the future of the region's tourism and hospitality industry," he said.
"We are also in discussion with developers in Oman and Qatar to have our presence in those markets."
Le Meridien owns and manages 135 hotels worldwide.
