TOKYO and LONDON— Le Meridien and Nikko Hotels International have expanded their global strategic alliance formed last year to include all Nikko hotels in Japan and China. This will enlarge the two groups worldwide network to encompass 169 properties in 63 countries and territories. The addition of the 22 properties is effective August 3, 2001. Le Meridien and Nikko Hotels International signed their global sales, marketing, and reservations alliance on April 3, 2000, initially encompassing all Nikko Hotels properties outside of Japan (in Europe, North and Central America, and Asia Pacific). Since then, Le Meridien has recorded a 30% increase in its business from the hospitality industrys Japanese market, resulting from several sales and marketing initiatives Le Meridien implemented, such as a hotel directory printed in Japanese. The companies are also increasing their presence at travel trade shows and joint road shows in Japan, and have linked their websites. At the time of signing the strategic alliance last year, Le Meridiens Japanese customer base was 9% of its total business, with the aim of increasing that figure to 12% within three years. Now, 15 months into the alliance, the increase is 11%, representing an increase of 125,000 room nights. With this 30% increase, Japan is now Le Meridien’s third revenue-generating market.
