Belfast expects to see 29% increase in hotel rooms by 2018

Around 1,074 hotel rooms are expected to be built in Belfast by 2018, representing an increase of 29%, according to the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation.

The additional rooms are needed to offset demand for the city, which currently outstrips supply. Growth will include a 25% increase in the four and five-star room offering.

The total number of hotel rooms in the city is expected to increase to 4,885 by 2018. Belfast City Council is keen to support hotel development and has expressed a need for an additional 1,800 hotel rooms to fulfil tourism demand.

According to the Federation, a number of hotel brands already in Belfast are looking to introduce alternative brands. These include Hilton Worldwide with Hampton Suites and DoubleTree, Premier Inn with the Hub, and InterContinental Hotels Group with Indigo.

Janice Gault, chief executive, Northern Ireland Hotels Federation, said: "Belfast's rising occupancy rate has resulted in the city being added to a number of international hoteliers' shopping lists. International brands such as Marriott have Northern Ireland in their sights; the opening of international businesses and the reduction of corporation tax in 2017 will make the region an even more attractive option for investment."

New hotels already in the pipeline include the Titanic hotel at the former Harland and Wolff drawing offices, City Quays, Grand Central, Bedford Street and Blackstaff Square hotel.

The Federation represents more than 85% of hotel accommodation in Northern Ireland and predicts a 15% growth in hotels across the region overall.

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