Budget hotel operator Travelodge has launched a new training centre in conjunction with the National Skills Academy for Hospitality at its Coventry property in the West Midlands.

Empty meeting rooms at the hotel have been revamped to provide training equipment and furniture for the Skills Academy project - one of the first of its kind in the UK. The new centre aims to help develop customer service and management skills, which Travelodge believes is "fundamental" to the industry's future. A further 20 facilities are now in the pipeline at other UK Travelodges.

Travelodge chief executive Guy Parsons said: "I believe the hospitality industry will benefit tremendously from Skill Academies, ensuring our industry is ready to serve the influx of customers the UK will see during and after the 2012 Olympic Games." National Skills Academy chief executive David McHattie added: "This innovative training centre allows us to make the inspirational training solutions we identify more accessible and at the best value."