Le Méridien extends Nikko deal

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Le Méridien

Le Méridien has extended its alliance with Japanese hotel chain Nikko Hotels International. The alliance, struck last year, has been widened to include all Nikko locations in Japan and China, adding 22 hotels. It originally included only Nikko hotels outside Japan, but will now cover 169 properties in 63 countries. Le Méridien was bought by Japanese investment bank Nomura from Forte in May for £1.9b. That deal had not affected the Nikko alliance, said a spokeswoman for Le Méridien. "Nikko and Le Méridien have been carrying on as normal," she said. Under the alliance, the two hotel companies develop joint sales, marketing and reservations initiatives, giving Le Méridien a valuable foothold in the Japanese tourist market. *Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 9-15 August 2001*