Travelodge set to expand internationally

Budget hotel chain Travelodge has unveiled plans to expand its non-UK operation with the creation of an international division.

The company has concentrated mainly on UK growth, with just 12 of its 337 hotels based overseas, but has signalled its intent to expand abroad with the appointment of Paul Harvey as managing director international and development.

As property development director, Harvey spent two years running Travelodge's UK and Spanish development programmes. In his new role, he will be charged with expanding the Travelodge brand globally and delivering profit growth in its existing international business in Spain (three hotels) and Ireland (nine).

In another promotion, chief operating officer Guy Parsons has been appointed managing director of the UK. He will take responsibility for all UK functions and be accountable for the profit growth of the budget chain's 325 UK hotels.

Parsons told Caterer that research had shown the group could increase its expansion plans, and would potentially go beyond its current target of 1,000 hotels by 2020.

"Although I can't confirm the countries we will be expanding into, it will be closer to home than the Middle East which is not on the shortlist," he said.

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By Gemma Sharkey

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