NAMA is expected to pick up the pace of Irish hotel sales in the coming 18 months — so far, it has sold just 19 of the 136 in its control, and so has 117 left to sell, a conference organised by the Irish Hotel Federation heard this week.

Almost three-quarters of the country’s hoteliers are concerned about the future of their business, but more than half are reporting a pick-up in trade for this year, according to a survey by the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF).

A leader in the hotel industry yesterday criticised the Government for not working more closely with the sector on a plan to create 3,000 jobs.

SHANNON Airport has turned a corner and is expected to break even next year.