UK’s Premier Inn Owner Whitbread Enjoys Bookings Boost After Lower Profits

Premier Inn | October 17, 2024

By Shanima A (Reuters) -Bookings at British hotel group Whitbread are picking up for the holiday season, the company said on Wednesday, after reporting a fall in first-half profit. Whitbread shares rose more than 4% in early trade after the group, which also owns restaurant and pub chains such as Beefeater and Bar+Block Steakhouse, raised its interim dividend and announced a share buyback programme worth 100 million pounds ($129.95 million). "After a slightly softer start in September we've seen trading pick back up and we're outperforming the market," CEO Dominic Paul told Reuters. UK revenue per available room (RevPAR) - an important me...