Budget hotel chain Travelodge says it is planning to open 100 new properties over the next five years, with a recruitment drive for 3,000 new jobs focused on parents across the UK.
CEO Peter Gowers says the company is “preparing in earnest for post-Brexit Britain” as it aims to help attract unemployed parents for roles at all levels.
The recruitment drive will offer jobs in hotel reception, restaurants and housekeeping, as well as at the Travelodge head office, where flexible hours will be available.
The growth goal comes as Travelodge reports revenue for 2018 was up 8.8 per cent to £693.3 million, with occupancy climbing 2.5 percentage points to 78.5 per cent. The company opened 17 new hotels in the year, with a further three opening after year-end.
Travelodge expects to open 20 new hotels in 2019, with the majority due to launch in the final quarter of the year.
The company launched a new strategy five years ago and has since undergone a £100 million modernisation programme, which includes its new Travelodge Dreamer beds and the addition of “premium economy” SuperRooms. New “budget chich” Travelodge Plus properties have also opened in London, Edinburgh, York, Brighton and Gatwick airport.
Travelodge was named Best Budget Hotel Brand at the 2019 Business Travel Awards.
Gowers said: “These results highlight Travelodge’s transformation over the last five years. Over that period, Travelodge’s sales are up by more than £250 million, we’ve outperformed our competitive segment for five years in a row, opened more than 60 new hotels and more than trebled our profitability.
“The long-term growth opportunities for the budget sector remain strong and we expect to open 100 new hotels over the next five years, creating approximately 3,000 jobs.”
Commenting on the company’s recruitment drive, Gowers added: “Travelodge is growing quickly and we want to unlock the potential of Britain’s mums and dads as they return to work. Hospitality can offer a great career for parents, with jobs close to home, hours that can match the school run, benefits that suit families and a path into management.
“We are preparing in earnest for post-Brexit Britain. With thousands of new jobs to fill, we need more new colleagues than ever. We see vast untapped potential in parents who want to return to work. YouGov research shows that many parents want to get back into a job, especially one that can lead to a career, and the first step is often the hardest. We’ve based our new programme on making it easier than ever for mums and dads to work around the school run and climb the career ladder whilst raising their family.”
travelodge.co.uk