The Dalata Hotel Group, Ireland's largest hotel operator, held its AGM at The Clayton Hotel on Dublin's Burlington Road today (Wednesday May 10).
The company's chairman, John Hennessy, stated that Dalata's trading performance for the first third of 2017 "has been marginally ahead of expectations."
According to Hennessy, RevPAR growth in the company's Dublin and Regional Ireland properties has been in line with expectations, while RevPAR growth in its London and Northern Ireland portfolios has been strong and growth in its provincial UK properties has been just above what was expected. Dalata management is reportedly very pleased with the group's trading performance for the first four months of 2017 and is maintaining a positive outlook in regards to markets in which the company operates.
Hennessy went on to assert that "Progress continues to be made on our development pipeline of over 1,200 new hotel rooms. Construction of the Clayton Hotel Charlemont, Maldron Hotel Kevin Street, Maldron Hotel Belfast and Maldron Hotel Newcastle is well underway and progressing on target and within budget. Construction of the 140-room extension at Clayton Dublin Airport will commence later this month. Construction is due to commence later this year on our new Maldron hotel in Cork as well as the extensions to our Maldron Hotel Parnell Square, Maldron Hotel Sandy Road and Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge. All projects are due to open at different stages of 2018."
The chairman also added that "Investment in the Clayton and Maldron brands continues with a targeted capital refurbishment programme and brand awareness campaigns. We also continue to invest in the training and development of our people as they are key to our continued growth and performance. 2017 will see further investment in information technology to deliver ongoing improvements in internal controls, the quality of management information and process efficiencies."
Hennessy concluded by declaring that Dalata will "continue to look for opportunities to purchase the freehold interest of some of [their] existing hotels in Ireland" and that the group is "looking to expand [its] Clayton and Maldron brands in the UK and [is] encouraged by the current pipeline of potential opportunities."
