Ladbrokes owner Hilton reports profits dip in hotel business

Leisure group Hilton sounded a confident note about its future today despite first-half profits at its hotels in the UK and Ireland falling by more than a fifth.

Hilton, which owns the Ladbrokes betting firm, said forward bookings for 2006 looked more positive after the division saw profits slip 22.6% to £30.1m (€44.2m) in the six months to June 30.