Travelodge has announced it plans to open a hotel in Guernsey in reaction to the 'busiest year for Brits holidaying at home'.
It is thought the move will create 25 new jobs and, currently, the hotelier is looking to use 'surplus local authority land' to build on.
Travelodge opened its first seaside hotel in Brighton in 1999 and has recently opened its 36th seaside resort hotel at Rhyl beach. The company announced today that it wants to expand in a further 26 seaside and coastal town locations to celebrate 20 years of trading - which includes opening a hotel in Guernsey.
The news comes just weeks after Premier Inn, another budget hotel chain, announced it intends to open a hotel in the island at Admiral Park.
This will be Travelodge’s first hotel in Guernsey - as is the case with most of the coastal locations - and would represent an investment of £5.5million for third party investors.
Premier Inn have just announced they are also looking to open in Guernsey.
Tony O’ Brien, Travelodge UK Development Director said: “Britain is becoming a strong Staycation nation that likes to take lots of short breaks throughout the year rather than a traditional two week block holiday. To support this growing trend, we have identified 26 coastal areas where we would like to open a hotel, so that we can offer more choice and greater value to the modern leisure traveller and this includes opening a hotel in Guernsey.
"This expansion programme in Guernsey would represent an investment of £5.5 million for third party investors and create 25 new jobs. It would also support the local economy as our research shows on average our customers spend double their room rate with local businesses which annually results in a multimillion boost for the local economy.”
“To kick start our search to find the perfect hotel site in Guernsey, we are writing to the States of Guernsey to see if we can play a pivotal role in their tourism strategy / regeneration programme like we have done in Rhyl. Investing in a low-cost hotel like Travelodge is an increasingly attractive choice, as it draws visitors, creates jobs and helps boost the local economy.”
Rates at the latest hotel in Rhyl start from £29, it is a 69-sea view room hotel with on-site restaurant called the Bar Café and car-park representing an investment of £5 million for the landlord, Denbighshire County Council.
Pictured: Rhyl Seafront Travelodge.
The list below details the 26 seaside resort and coastal towns where Travelodge is looking to open a hotel:
Pictured: Ramsgate Travelodge. The company have a range of coastal offerings.
This year, is set to be the strongest year for holidaying at home, according to the Travelodge 2019 Holiday Index. This summer, 69% of Britons will be taking their annual summer holiday in the UK – this is an increase of 12% (57%) from 2018 with the average holiday length being a week.
The report estimates an average spend of £874 per person. This is the highest spend since Travelodge started its annual holiday index in 2011 when the average spend was £399.28. Collectively Britons will boost the UK economy by £40 billion this year by holidaying on British shores this summer.
The report also revealed that over half of Britons at 58% have opted to holiday at home due to Brexit uncertainties and are showing their solidarity by supporting UK tourism and their economy.
Pictured top: Travelodge's hotel in Scarborough.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.