Travelodge is looking to open 14 new hotel sites at “key port locations” across the UK as it looks to capitalise on the country’s ferry and cruise market growth.
The budget hotel group will invest £84 million into the new properties, creating 350 jobs.
Travelodge said the transformation of the UK ports industry over the past 10 years has created a “thriving and highly competitive” industry, which it aims to capitalise on.
“As a result of more Britons taking to the waves, we have also experienced a boom at Travelodge,” said Travelodge managing director for property, Paul Harvey.
“To support this growing holiday trend, we are looking for a further 14 new hotel sites at UK’s busiest Port locations. This includes another site in Southampton, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Liverpool, Newcastle and Harwich.”
The company has reported a 9 per cent increase in occupancy over the past 12 months at its 48 port-based hotels.
Travelodge made the announcement at the opening of its new 94-room Southampton West Quay hotel, which has had £6 million worth of investment and created 30 new jobs.