Group plans to build five hotels

IBIS Hotels are part of the French-owned Accor Group

One of the world's largest hotel groups is to make a £50m investment in Northern Ireland.

Andras House is to build five new hotels operated under the international IBIS brand. There are more than 750 IBIS hotels in 36 countries.

Andras House Chairman Lord Diljit Rana said the investment would bring about 500 new hotel rooms on top of its existing 500 rooms.

Lord Rana said it indicated confidence in the tourist growth potential.

"We have already acquired a site in Belfast and are actively seeking locations in provincial centres," he said.

"I believe that the future for tourism here is excellent, especially now local politicians are back in government and in a position to help create the conditions in which investment in the industry's infrastructure will flourish."

Work on the first IBIS hotel in King Street in Belfast will begin soon and is scheduled to open in autumn 2008.