HOTEL revenues across the north soared last year according to the Northern Ireland Hotel Federation (NIHF).
Occupancy figures for the industry rose 2.4 per cent to 74.1 per cent which resulted in average revenue of £47.36 per room - up 10.9 per cent on 2014.
It comes as a host of new hotels are set to enter the market over the next two years potentially adding thousands of rooms.
President of the federation Ciaran O'Neill said it was the first major upturn in new accommodation in more than a decade.
Average daily room rates also rose last year, up 8.2 per cent to £63.90.
Mr O'Neill, who operates Bishop's Gate Hotel in Derry, said a strong performance by the market in Belfast was making up for falling occupancy rates in rural areas.
“Northern Ireland has been slow to come out of recession but globally trading has improved," he said.
"Recently, with improved confidence, finance is also more readily available and property development is deemed viable.
"This is evident in the fact that there are a significant number of new hotel projects in the planning and development phases, with over 20 in Belfast and three in Derry alone.
“Confidence in the sector is also supported by the fact that we’re seeing the introduction of new brands to Northern Ireland.
"We had the recent announcement that a Hampton by Hilton is set to be developed in the Hope Street area of Belfast and we know that Marriott, Premier Inn and others international players have Northern Ireland in their sights.”
Other hotels on the horizon in Belfast include Hastings Hotels' Grand Central at the former Windsor House, the Bedford Hotel behind City Hall and Beannchor's Bullitt, in the former Lagan House.
Sarah Duignan from STR Global which compiled the figures said the north had "recovered well post downturn but this is especially true of Belfast".
"Year end 2005 Belfast achieved an occupancy of 75 per cent, an average daily rate (ADR) of £64 and a revenue per available room (revPAR) of £48.03.
"Roll on 10 years to present day and Belfast has seen a significant increase in room count along with a global economic crisis but has managed to come out on top with year end 2015 occupancy of 78.5 per cent, ADR of £65.11 and revPAR at £51.10.
"Derry has also not faired too badly, occupancy is almost back to 2008 levels at 62.8 per cent by year end 2015 and ADR just shy of £55 followed by revPAR at £34.52 with only 60pence lacking to achieve the 2008 peak.
"Whilst Belfast and Derry are the two primary markets reported on by STR Global in Northern Ireland, we are looking forward to also being able to share the successes of the south-west Ulster hotel market when we launch this as our third key Northern Ireland market in February 2016.”
