The UK's hotel industry is continuing to expand despite the recession, with more than 10,400 rooms opening in 2010 and a further 43,000 planned for the period 2011-15.

According to the British Hospitality: Trends and Developments report, published by the British Hospitality Association (BHA), the report shows that the budget sector continues its expansion with more than 5,300 new rooms added in 2010 - with new brands such as Citizen M, H10 and Tunes opening their first properties in the UK.

In 2001, there were 50,000 budget rooms, a figure which has risen to 112,600 in 2010.

While budget hotels are leading the field when it comes to new openings, it is the luxury segment that is proving to be the most robust in terms of securing revenue levels.

Kathryn Pretzel-Shiels, head of the UK's hotel, restaurant and travel industries for American Express says that spending at top end hotels is heading towards pre-recession levels.

"Spending by card in the UK increased steadily in 2010, far exceeding growth rates in other European cities.

"This was largely driven by luxury hotels, with spending in mid-scale hotels growing at a slower rate."