hotels


Summit yields need for industry strategy


ufi ibrahim is chief executive officer of British Hospitality Association


accor unveils new uK academy


France-based hospitality giant Accor is to expand its Accor Académie training network by announcing the launch of the service in the UK market. Accor has opened its new


F


ollowing the Hospitality and Tourism Summit at the InterContinental London Park Lane, it’s clear a new strategy is needed to unlock the


industry’s job-creating potential. If there was one message that came out


of the event, it was that there is overarching concern that the government is not listening to the country’s wealth creators. It means the BHA must now focus on ensuring a strategy is developed so the industry’s potential – in jobs and investment – is fully realised. What is essential is that growth must


not be restrained by barriers which could be removed to huge advantage; not just of the industry, but of the UK economy overall. So we are now following up with all speakers and delegates to trawl opinion on the focus of the strategy before taking it forward. With ever-widening industry support, the


BHA must lead opinion so that government understands the important role that hospi- tality and tourism plays in the economy. At present, there is a great deal of government talk about support but very little action. At the summit, more than 500 delegates


were united in consensus on the need for industry and government partnership to ensure the industry’s job-creating potential was realised. Many speakers also emphasised that tourism was a rapidly changing global industry, with more destinations opening up every year. But it’s not just the number of destinations which continues to grow; the nature of competition is also changing. Te UK cannot compete without greater


government understanding of the barriers holding back growth. More importantly, those barriers must be removed. Te indus- try is just fighting to maintain its share of the market, with little hope of significant growth. We have to make government lis- ten to the people who create the country’s wealth because they have to deal with the UK tourism’s lack of competitiveness. Tis is the biggest barrier to creating jobs


in the industry – jobs at all levels, for men and women of all ages, throughout the coun- try. Te BHA will be taking this message to Whitehall as we develop the new industry- wide strategy for growth.


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employee training campus in London and also announced a new apprenticeship scheme, an “into-work” programme and a university placement scheme as part of an invest- ment into the group’s HR programme and significant job creation in the sector. Accor Académie now oper-


Accor’s Académie now operates in 72 countries aſter opening in the UK


ates in 72 countries. First launched in 1985, the Académie delivers more than 435,000 days of training a year and invests around €45m (£36m) per annum in training. In 2011, more than 145,000 group employees


were trained through modules adapted to the specific local challenges of each country and covering more than 100 hotel industry jobs.


Accor’s Sophie Flak said: “Identifying, devel-


oping and retaining talented people is a crucial guarantee for Accor’s strategy of conquest. With 40,000 new rooms every year, our mis- sion is to train our employees on the ground, where they work.” Read more: http://lei.sr?a=F6M8L


Firmdale Hotels relaunches Dorset Square Hotel


Firmdale Hotels has announced the launch of the new-look Dorset Square Hotel in central London, following the completion of an exten- sive refurbishment programme. Husband and wife team Kit and Tim Kemp originally purchased the boutique hotel during


the 1980s and have now reacquired it for the Firmdale portfolio, 10 years aſter it was sold. Dorset Square Hotel features 38 bedrooms,


as well as Te Potting Shed bar and restaurant. It joins Firmdale’s six other London hotels. Details: http://lei.sr?a=v1u4S


Hilton’s spa plans unveiled for FA centre


Hilton has announced details of the health club and spa con- cepts that will be on offer at its two hotels at St George’s Park, a new national football centre near Burton-on-Trent. Te complex is being built


by the Football Association (FA) and will feature Hilton and Hampton by Hilton- branded properties, which will share the Health Club and Spa at St George’s Park. Spa facilities include four


treatment rooms offering services using Comfort Zone products. Treatment spaces will use mood lighting and music to create a “sensory environment”. Meanwhile, the fitness area will house


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital A swimming pool will be among the property’s health and spa facilities Guests of both hotels will be able to use


Technogym equipment. An indoor pool and relaxation areas are also among the facilities.


the facilities, while the public can also obtain memberships to use the health/spa area. Details: http://lei.sr?a=c0n4X


Twitter: @leisureopps © CYBERTREK 2012


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