Spanish-based international hotel group Riu is reported to be looking closely at the Dublin market with a view to making a move into it in the near future.
Riu, which is 49%-owned by the British leisure travel giant TUI, is one of several big name international hotel players looking to make a play in Ireland's capital, where there is currently a growing shortage of rooms.
According to the Irish Independent, a spokeswoman for Riu Hotels said the company is looking at Dublin as an opportunity for one of its hotels.
"We are looking into expanding our Riu Plaza city hotels line in major cities in the world, and Dublin is one of them," she said.