£50m plan to build five new hotels

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Monday, July 09, 2007

By Nigel Tilson

Leading Ulster hotelier Lord Diljit Rana today unveiled plans to build five more hotels in the province.

His Andras House company is to spend £50m developing the hotels under the Ibis brand, which is new to Northern Ireland.

The first of the new hotels is to be built in Belfast's King Street - and construction is set to get under way within the next few weeks.

The other locations have yet to be decided but Andras House, which already operates four hotels in the province, said the rollout will generate 200 new jobs.

The first Ibis in Belfast, with 120 bedrooms, should be open for business in autumn 2008.

Lord Rana said: "This important strategic investment indicates our confidence in the growth potential of the tourist industry throughout Northern Ireland. We have already acquired a site in Belfast and are actively seeking locations in provincial centres.

"I believe that the future for tourism here is excellent, especially now local politicians are back in government and in a position to help create the conditions in which investment in the industry's infrastructure will flourish."

The expansion programme is expected to create 500 new hotel bedrooms across the province, doubling the number of rooms the group already has here.

"We look forward to working closely with the Executive in measures to accelerate the growth of an industry which has massive potential in terms of wealth creation and employment," Lord Rana said.

He insisted that the Ibis at King Street in Belfast would contribute substantially to initiatives to enhance the city centre and the King Street/Castle Street area in particular.

Ibis-branded hotels are part of the French-owned Accor Group, a world leader in the hospitality industry. There are currently more than 750 Ibis hotels in 36 countries offering around 83,000 rooms.

Ibis hotels are rated as quality three-star properties with an international reputation for excellent accommodation and services, Andras House said.

Lord Rana is chairman of Andras House, which has previously brought international hotel brands Ramada, Days and Express by Holiday Inn to Belfast.

Its Ramada at Shaw's Bridge is a four-star property, while the Days Hotel in Hope Street and Express by Holiday Inn in University Street are both three-star properties. Renshaws in University Street is also part of the group.

Andras House already employs over 300 people in Northern Ireland.