Our Markets
Hotels
It is estimated that the total number of hotel rooms in the UK is approximately 710,000. However, the industry remains extremely fragmented with the majority of rooms in independently owned and run hotels.
For more than 25 years a long-term structural shift has been taking place in the UK hotel industry, with branded hotel supply increasing its share of the market from 161,000 rooms in 2000 to 262,000 rooms in 2009.
Branded budget hotels have been growing at an even faster rate, although still only accounting for one in seven of all hotel rooms in the country. In the USA and France, budget hotel rooms account for around 25% and 23% respectively of all hotel rooms.
Premier Inn has grown to become the UK's largest hotel chain with over 40,000 rooms in the UK. However despite the size and reach of the portfolio, Premier Inn accounts for less than 6% of all hotel rooms in the UK.
Looking to the year ahead, there is evidence that more business travellers are switching their stays to the budget brands in a search for greater value (BDRC - Hotel guest survey 2009).
Furthermore, as the weakened pound makes trips abroad more expensive and the UK more appealing to overseas visitors, this may stimulate leisure demand.
