Strong pre-peak summer demand has been reported by Premier Inn owner Whitbread.
The parent company of the UK’s largest budget hotel chain saw accommodation sales rise by 18% in the 13 weeks to June 1 over the same period last year.
The increase was attributed to strong demand from both business and leisure travellers across the regions and London, where demand was described as being “particularly strong”.
Revenue per available room (revpar) was up 16% year-on-year and 40% above pre-pandemic levels.
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Whitbread said: “The strength of our overall performance and forward booked position has increased our confidence in being able to deliver a strong first half result.
“Trading momentum is strong and we remain positive about the full year outlook.”
Almost 350 new rooms were added during the quarter in the UK and Ireland as part of a planning total of up to 2,000 for the full financial year.
Chief executive Dominic Paul said: “The structural reduction in hotel supply, coupled with strong consumer demand, is highlighting the strengths of our differentiated business model, as evidenced by our continued strong performance.
“Our forward booked position into Q2 underpins our confidence in being able to deliver a strong first half result.
“Our business is in great shape and trading well. Given the lack of branded supply growth and permanent decline in the independent sector, I am confident that our business model will continue to deliver as we strengthen Premier Inn’s position in the UK, unlock our potential in Germany and maximise long-term returns for our shareholders.”
The group has 56 hotels with 10,000 rooms in Germany and has a further 32 properties representing 6,000 rooms in the pipeline.