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The data also shows that the average daily rate( ADR) for hotel rooms in the UK stood at £ 113, a slight rise of + 1.6 % on the previous year. Hotels in the majority of cities across the UK experienced an uplift in ADR, with the biggest increases coming from hotels in Liverpool, Belfast, Bournemouth and Manchester.
“ The UK has so far successfully weathered the Brexit blast and shown continued growth,” said Change founder and director, Craig Allen.“ We predict that this is likely to continue into 2017. From a recruitment perspective, we anticipate that the market will remain positive but difficult, with a shortage of talent in many key roles. While this would become much harder if there is to be a hard Brexit, our prediction is that the government will steer a more moderate course, and that we will continue to see a strong influx of employees from the EU.
“ While 2017 will be governed by uncertainty, and there are many economic factors working against the hospitality sector, there are also several positive factors which will enable the industry overall to thrive.”
UK hotels say post-Brexit vote bounce
Hotels across the UK enjoyed increased visitor numbers off the back of the Brexit vote, according to the latest July-September data from the Expedia group.
The regional powerhouses of Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds all recorded a year-on-year increase in travel demand of more than 20 %, with Bournemouth(+ 25 %) and Brighton(+ 20 %) also seeing a healthy upturn. Glasgow(+ 25 %) and Edinburgh(+ 16 %) also recorded strong growth.
Julie Cheneau, Expedia’ s director of market management for the UK & Ireland, said:“ Overall our hotel partners enjoyed a strong quarter with those across a number of regional cities and seaside destinations enjoying impressive growth compared to the same period last year.
“ Demand from certain key international markets spiked following the Brexit result, likely due to a range of factors including a weaker pound but also because the UK summertime is popular with international guests.”
London bed supply moves East
Kensington and Chelsea, with 14,702 hotel rooms in 183 hotels, has almost reached full capacity when it comes to hotel development, with only 30 new bedrooms expected to be built in the borough before 2019, according to Colliers International’ s latest London Hotel Index.
Colin Hall of Colliers International explains:“ It’ s been near impossible for hotel investors and developers to find the space to create new hotels in Kensington and Chelsea. The residential market has remained extremely strong over the past few years, keeping prices high and supply low, and the grand period houses that make up much of the property stock in the area is difficult to convert.
“ Hotels in Westminster, The City and Kensington & Chelsea recorded the highest Average Daily Rates( ADR) respectively(£ 211, £ 153 and £ 148).