Group RevPAR grew by 4.0% to £68.28. In constant currency, RevPAR increased by 0.8% from £67.75 to £68.28. Average room rate increased by 2.7% to £96.61 (H1 2014: £94.10) and occupancy fell by 1.2 percentage points to 70.7% (H1 2014: 71.9%).
Revenue increased by 6.3% mainly as a result of acquisitions in 2014, together with favourable foreign exchange movements.
Continuing pressure in Asian markets resulting in Asia RevPAR falling by 10.3% for the first six months of 2015.
Profit before tax increased by 6.9% reflecting higher contribution from joint ventures and associates and lower central costs resulting from the reversal of surplus legal provisions following settlement of certain claims.
Good progress made on hotel refurbishments, including Millennium Bailey's Hotel London and completion of work at Millennium Alaskan Hotel Anchorage, now re-branded as The Lakefront Anchorage.
The Board has declared an interim dividend of 2.08p per share (H1 2014: 2.08p).
