Hotel group Jurys Doyle expects profits in the six months to the end of October to be ahead of the same period last year, when profits fell 12%.
But it warned that the trading environment in Dublin and London remained challenging, hit by lower corporate conference business and a reduction in tourist activity.
The hotel chain this morning issued a trading statement ahead of publication of its figures, as it has changed its financial year from the end of October to the end of December.
Jurys Doyle says the key driver of the performance is the continued strength of the Jurys Inn brand. It adds that its recent openings in Birmingham and Croydon are performing 'very well'.
Within the hotel division, its two five star properties - the Berkeley Court and the Westbury - are trading ahead of last year. Shares in the company closed six cent higher at €6.72 in Dublin this evening.
