In a statement published on DalataHotelGroup.com/investors/latest-financial-news, Dalata chairman John Hennessy has said that the Irish hotel group's trade in 2022 to date has surpassed its expectations.
AGM
The statement published on DalataHotelGroup.com/investors/latest-financial-news was to be made by Hennessy at Dalata's AGM, which took place today (Thursday 28 April) at 11.30am at Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane, Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Grand Canal Dock, Dublin 2.
"Recovery With Strong Trading Post Re-opening"
Hennessy said in the statement, "2021 was another challenging year for Dalata and the wider hospitality industry. However, I am pleased to say that we have moved firmly into recovery with strong trading post re-opening across all markets."
2022 Trade
Hennessy's statement said, "To date, trade in 2022 has surpassed our expectations. We announced in March that RevPAR [revenue per available room] for the group was approaching pre-pandemic levels and I am delighted to report that it is expected to be 109% of 2019 levels for the March/April period. RevPAR in April will exceed 2019 levels in each of our Dublin, regional Ireland and UK regions. As we look ahead, we are optimistic for the summer months given increased flight capacities and a strong events calendar but remain cautious about the impact of inflation. A number of hotel rooms in Dublin and regional Ireland are also currently being utilised for other purposes, including to accommodate refugees, notably those fleeing the war in Ukraine."
New Openings
According to Hennessy's statement, "by the end of this year [Dalata] will increase the number of rooms in operation by at least 20%, compared to the end of 2021", and it has opened four new hotels this year to date, with the Hotel Nikko, Düsseldorf, which is the group's first hotel in continental Europe, the Clayton Hotel Manchester City Centre, the Maldron Hotel Manchester City Centre, and the group's first hotel in Bristol all opening this year, while The Samuel Hotel in Dublin officially opened today (Thursday 28 April) and The Clayton Hotel Glasgow City and Maldron Hotel Merrion Road in Dublin are expected to open later in 2022.
General Manager Conference
The publication of the above statement followed the release of a separate statement on Wednesday 27 April that announced that Dalata used a general manager conference in Belfast this week to underline the rewards and career opportunities of working with the company.
Dalata hosted the event at the Clayton Hotel Belfast with general managers travelling from 48 hotels in Ireland, the UK and continental Europe.
The two-day conference was the first time that the group's hotel managers have been able to physically meet since the COVID-19 pandemic started.
With over 80 delegates, the conference provided an opportunity to highlight career development opportunities that exist within the company as well as its employer approach, including The Dalata Academy, which provides training and development to all employees at all levels.
Dalata Hotel Group chief operating officer Des McCann stated, "With our culture of developing staff and promoting from within, the majority of our general managers have already had extensive careers with the company, but it has been great to see so many take the step into management and attend this conference for the first time.
"Across Dalata Hotel Group in 2021 there were 393 internal promotions and 74% of management vacancies were filled internally which shows the strength of our talent.
"We have enjoyed a vibrant and busy start to 2022 and in our new hotel openings, in cities such as Manchester, Glasgow, Bristol and Dublin, over 66% of the management roles were filled internally."
Dalata Hotel Group chief people officer Dawn Wynne stated, "We take great pride in developing our people.
"As the managers at the Belfast conference know, learning doesn't stop in Dalata. Our Pinnacle Programme focuses on the continuous development of our general managers and is in partnership with the Irish Management Institute (IMI)."
Due to the recent new openings and expansion and with general Managers being promoted internally, Dalata is now recruiting for deputy general managers and future general managers. Applications can be submitted via Careers.DalataHotelGroup.com/job/255526.
© 2022 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
