Aberystwyth and Pwllheli have been chosen as two of seven locations where Travelodge wants to open a hotel.

The company’s expansion programme collectively represents an investment value of £45m and will create 200 new jobs, Travelodge says.

The other five locations to make the Travelodge Wales expansion programme are Penarth, Swansea, Tenby, Torfaen/Blaenau and Wrexham.

Aberystwyth has been identified as a key target area, as it is growing from strength to strength and attracting record visitor numbers.

However, there remains a shortage of good-quality, low-cost accommodation.

Opening a Travelodge hotel in Aberystwyth would represent an investment of around £7m for third-party investors and create 25 new jobs, according to Travelodge.

The new hotel would also help attract new visitors to the area and boost the local economy, as Travelodge research shows its customers spend, on average, double their room rate with local businesses which equates to a multi-million spend annually.

The expansion programme was announced today at the official opening of Rhyl Seafront Travelodge, the hotel company’s 576th hotel and its 27th in Wales.

Tony O’Brien, Travelodge development director, said: “As Wales’ first branded budget hotel chain, we are delighted to celebrate 32 years of trading in Wales by opening our first hotel in Rhyl and announcing plans to open a further seven hotels.”

Mr O’Brien continued: “During the last three decades we have become symbolic in Wales for offering great value. However, with locations such as Wrexham growing from strength to strength, there is a shortage of good-quality and low-cost accommodation to fulfil demand.

"Therefore we are looking to expand our portfolio in Wales with a further seven hotels, this will boost our presence to 34.

“Tourism into Aberystwyth is continuing to grow due to its coastline location and it is also the obvious base to tour the 180-mile Coastal Way.”