Some win, some lose on the Irish pound currency lottery. The general air of satisfaction among the management team at hoteliers Jurys this week indicate that the spinning drum of market forces spewed out a few favourable numbers for mine hosts. A falling pound is good for tourism, additionally creating bonus gains on foreign earnings when converted. Jurys now basks in the glow of higher occupancy rates and rising profit margins. Shareholders have the best room in the house, a rising share price and higher dividends providing the scenic outlook.

Half yearly figures from the reception desk this week show that pre-tax profits at Jurys surged 36 per cent to £10.8 million in the six months to end October last, percentage profit growth outstripping the 26 per cent improvement in turnover at £37 million.

Profit margins widened 2 per cent to 29 per cent reflecting the group's stated strategy of "optimising rates" and a purchasing policy which continues to trim back costs. Converting sterling profits into pounds put a £300,000 bonus into the kitty . Shareholders are cosseted with a 20 per cent increase in interim dividend to 3.12p a share. Soothsayers predicting a day of reckoning in a market saturated with too many hotels may have to wait a while longer for Armageddon .