Dalata 2022 trade ‘surpassed expectations’

Ireland’s largest hotel operator Dalata has announced that 2022 trade to date has already “surpassed expectations” as its recovery continues.

Revenue per available room (revpar) for the group is expected to be 109% of 2019 levels for the March/April period, while revpar in April will exceed 2019 levels in Dublin, regional Ireland and the UK.

The group opened its €39m (£32.8m) Samuel hotel in Dublin yesterday (pictured) and chief executive Dermot Crowley said that while UK growth remained Dalata’s focus, Dublin remained “an important market” for the company, in which it would continue to seek strategic opportunities.

At the group’s AGM, it was announced that, 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, including the Clayton Hotel Glasgow City, which is expected to open in the coming months.

John Hennessy, chairman of Dalata, said the group had “moved firmly into recovery with strong trading post reopening across all markets”.

He added: “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.”

Dalata Hotel Group was founded in August 2007 and listed in March 2014. The group's portfolio comprises 49 predominately four-star hotels with 10,663 rooms and a pipeline of more than 1,500 rooms.

The group has 29 owned hotels, 17 leased hotels and three management contracts. Dalata operates hotel brands including Clayton and Maldron, and for the year ended 31 December 2021, reported revenue of €192m (£161.7m) and a loss after tax of €6.3m (£5.3m).

Photo: www.facebook.com/TheSamuelHotel/photos