David Webster’s Podium Hospitality on the expansion trail

International hotel brands are likely to be more common in Ireland as they seek to expand via franchising, according to David Webster of the hotel management company Podium Hospitality.

Webster, who has just signed up Sheraton as a franchise partner at the Pillo hotel in Co Meath, said major hotel chains had been asset-light for many years, and were now increasingly withdrawing even from managing properties. “Their whole growth strategy lies in franchising,” ...