hoteLs


Research highlights our sector’s vital role


ufi ibRahim is chief executive of the british hospitality association


London 2012 preparations ‘on track’


New research from Deloitte has revealed that more than half of UK firms in the travel, hospitality and leisure sector are “on track” with prepara- tions for the 2012 Games. According to the Games


T


he hospitality industry plays a vital role in both the economic and social life of communities throughout the UK. But how do


we communicate this to decision-makers in national and local government? Te BHA is soon to release publications


– one for the UK and one each for Scotland and Wales – emphasising the impact of the hospitality industry on local jobs, local wealth creation, culture and heritage. Tey represent the first crucial steps to unlock- ing the industry’s potential for regeneration and rebalancing growth across the UK. Te publications will set out research,


commissioned by the BHA and undertaken by Oxford Economics, which identifies each local authority in the UK and the contribu- tion made to it by the hospitality industry in terms of employment and Gross Value Added – that is, net wealth creation. One noticeable fact emerges from the research: in only 22 of the UK’s 406 local authori- ties does the industry’s share of total direct employment fall below five per cent. Te results are clear and may not surprise


those in the sector who recognise the role of hospitality to the economy. In the hotel industry in the last decade, capital invest- ment has reached £25bn with more than 1,100 new hotels, refurbishment of existing properties and the opening of new restau- rants and attractions. More investment is planned for the future – investment which will benefit almost every local economy. No-one can accuse the industry of sit-


ting on its hands in recent years. With more than 110,000 new hotel rooms in all price categories, hoteliers are clearly meet- ing the international competitive challenge. It is unfortunate, then, that the present 20 per cent rate of VAT makes the UK highly uncompetitive on price across Europe. Hospitality needs support at both a


national and local level. Not only do we need Westminster to recognise that the industry’s potential will never be realised for as long as the UK remains uncompeti- tive in Europe on price but, in every local plan, a hospitality blueprint should be an essential part of an area’s policy-making and of its economic and social structure.


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Readiness study, 55 per cent of firms are progressing with their preparations, although 37 per cent admitted they were currently behind schedule. Te amount of travel, hos-


pitality and leisure businesses that believe they are on target with their preparations with less than a year to go com- pares with 32 per cent in 2010. Staff availability is still one of the main chal-


Businesses are progressing with preparations as the Games move closer


lenges facing the sector, with nearly half (49 per cent) highlighting concerns over person- nel shortages during the Games. Graham Pickett, head of travel, hospital- ity and tourism at Deloitte, said: “London


2012 represents a significant and very timely opportunity for most UK travel, hospitality and leisure operators. “London 2012 is an immovable deadline and


businesses in this sector must recognise that they now need to act quickly to make the most of the opportunity.”


Margate boutique hotel plans move forward


Tanet District Council (TDC) has revealed that plans to transform Margate’s historic Fort Road Hotel into a new boutique property have now taken a step forward. Expressions of interest are now being sought for the site aſter it was acquired by the


council in December 2010 through the use of a Compulsory Purchase Order. Architecture students from the University of


Kent are already looking at how the hotel – one of the few remaining recognisable from JMW Turner’s day – can be brought back into use.


Hotel groups in ‘carbon reporting’ venture


Marriott International, Accor and InterContinental Hotels Group have joined forces as part of a new scheme to reach consensus over the calculation of carbon footprints. Te Carbon Measurement


Working Group is being driven by the International Tourism Partnership and the World Travel and Tourism Council, which aims to agree a single methodology for mea- suring carbon impact. Premier Inn; Wyndham


Worldwide; Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts; Hilton Worldwide; MGM Resorts International; Hyatt Hotels and Resorts; Red Carnation Hotel Collection; and Fairmont Hotels and Resorts; and Starwood Hotels and Resorts are also involved with the venture.


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital IHG is one of a number of hotel operators participating in the initative A multi-phased approach will see the work-


ing group engage a number of stakeholders, with aim of the first phase to have the stan- dards available for the 2012 RFP season.


Twitter: @leisureopps © CYBERTREK 2011


IMAGE: ODA/ANTHONY CHARLTON


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