Transactions to hit record highs as hotels go up for sale

Almost a quarter of the 145 hotels put into receivership at the end of last year are yet to come to market creating a pipeline of properties that will help transactions reach record highs again this year.

The large number of buyers coupled with improving economic fortunes and a strong supply line of hotels is likely to see transactions reaching peak-2014 levels when 68 hotels were sold.

With Ulster Bank, Nama and IBRC set to continue feeding demand in the sector and large buyers with acquisition funds in place, further consolidation is likely.