Whitbread has reported a rise in total sales of 13.5% in the first 13 weeks year-on-year, as increased “money awareness” upped demand
Of its four key operations, its budget hotel chain Premier Inn performed the best in terms of like-for-like sales which were up 10.5%.
Total sales at Premier Inn, taking into account the 380 rooms worldwide that came online during the 13-week period, were up 14.1% on last year.
Premier Inn’s occupancy averaged out at 75.7% for the quarter.
Alan Parker, Whitbread’s chief executive, said the budget brand’s 75.7% average occupancy reflected “both an improvement in the market and a significant increase in share.”
Premier Inn’s like-for-like figures do not include the chain’s foray into foreign markets over the past year, including its three properties in Dubai and two in India.
www.whitbread.co.uk