Gulf Construction Online - Le Meridien To open In Fujairah

Northern Emirates

Stepped tower ... an artistÕs impression of the hotel.

Le Meridien To open In Fujairah

01 November 2001

Construction work is under way on the Le Meridien Al Aqqa Beach Resort Fujairah which is scheduled for a spring 2002 opening.

The luxury beach resort project, a joint venture between Emirates and the Government of Fujairah, is aiming to jump-start tourism in this emirate on the east coast of the UAE, which boasts a secluded beach coastline just 90 minutes' drive from Dubai.

Le Meridien Al Aqqa Beach Resort Fujairah will include 219 rooms in a 20-storey stepped tower offering leisure attractions such as a free-form pool with a waterfall feature, children's pool and dedicated Penguin club, four tennis courts, watersports and dive centre, games room, golf practice area, racquet ball and fitness centre. There are plans to build a golf course in the future.

In addition, there will be a Royal Club executive floor, business centre, extensive conference facilities and four speciality restaurants.

According to Michel Noblet, Le Meridien managing director for the Middle East and West Asia, Fujairah is a beautiful and, as yet, relatively unknown tourist destination: "By introducing Le Meridien brand here, it will enhance the very special atmosphere that prevails on this magnificent stretch of coast.

"While demand for Dubai is escalating, we anticipate a similar response to a new sun, sea and sand product in Fujairah," he says.

As well as this development, other hotel groups are also pursuing tourism projects on the east coast, shaping up expectations that Fujairah will become a new star on the global tourism map within a few years.

Government officials there are already fine-tuning infrastructure projects to enhance the emirate's natural beauty and cultural attractions - where mountains, waterfalls and oases, and long sandy beaches provide a natural complement to the cosmopolitan attractions of Dubai.

Le Meridien - the luxury brand of Forte Hotel Group - currently has a global portfolio of more than 150 hotels in 55 countries (32,000 rooms) worldwide and an annual turnover of just over $2 billion.