Will spring bring a new beginning for the hospitality and tourism industry?
UFI IBRAHIM is chief executive of the British Hospitality Association
HOTELS Marriott bullish about Moxy rollout
London, Munich, Oslo and Copenhagen are all set to get Moxy hotels, under Marriott’s plans to open 2,700 new rooms in key European cities by the end of 2016. Marriott claims to have
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ith Easter upon us, the BHA, like other hospitality businesses and organisations, is turning
its attention to the future. We’re now a matter of weeks away from the general election and, historically, hospitality and tourism has been conspicuous by its absence from the manifestos of the main political parties. What’s more, this is described as the most important election for a generation, with experts anticipating no party will win an overall majority and expectations that the events of 7 May could change the political landscape forever. While hospitality and tourism accounts
for 1 in every 10 jobs in the UK, it is a truth well known that this industry could drive a step change in the growth and gener- ation of jobs if MPs focused on the fact that hospitality and tourism lies at the heart of our economy. All political parties should include hospitality and tourism at the centre of their economic growth plans, and in their party manifestos they should set out a commitment to boost the compet- itiveness of this important industry. Te UK hospitality and tourism industry
has suffered uncompetitive VAT rates, a strain on aviation capacity and uncom- petitive visa regimes for far too long. It is time for a new government to put an end to the current rate of UK VAT at 20 per cent – double that of the rest of Europe. The BHA is working tirelessly to
champion the Hospitality and Tourism industry on behalf of its members. We plan to unite more than 40,00 businesses to ensure that post 7 May 2015, the members of our collective associations will target every UK MP to convey the urgency with which government action is demanded to unlock our industry’s potential for growth. As well as lobbying for change, our industry needs to be the best at acting on legisla- tion so we can continue to be upheld as a positive example for other sectors to learn from. It’s only through collaboration, com- mercial expertise, and grassroots action that our sector will achieve the status and recognition it deserves from government.
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redefined the budget hotel experience with this exciting brand, which combines contemporary style, bold design, vibrant lobbies, ample plug-ins and free WiFi. According to vice presi-
dent, Ramesh Jackson, who spoke to Leisure Opportunities about the concept, it’s aimed at younger travellers, who want style and technology for affordable prices and are not bothered about full service. Rooms are small but thanks, to clever design, feel spacious. Marriott has teamed up with Vastint
Marriott has plans for a major European expansion of the Moxy brand “Te launch of Moxy Milan was a defining
Hospitality, Nordic Hospitality and ZLEEP Hotels to deliver this brand and, following the success of the first site in Milan, it wants to develop 150 by 2020. Te 11 European sites are not only in key cities, but in key locations, next to airports, convention and shopping centres.
moment for the brand; its first hotel in a gateway city that has met with widespread approval,” said Amy McPherson, presi- dent and managing director of Marriott International, Europe. “We expect that the next few years will show significant growth, helping to build brand presence so travellers can familiarise themselves with a new affordable design hotel concept.” Details:
http://lei.sr?a=X3h7P
Europe sees more hotel value hikes
Hotel values in Europe increased for the fiſth year in succession during 2014, with properties in the UK and Southern Europe seeing some of the biggest gains, accord- ing to the 2015 European Hotel Valuation Index. Te index – published this
month (March) by global hotel consultancy HVS – showed particularly strong figures for Madrid, which recorded an impressive year- on-year value climb of 14 per cent. Te average value per hotel bedroom in the Spanish capital rose from €185,000 (£134,000) in 2013 to €211,000 (153,000) in 2014. Tis was attributed to a slowdown in the city’s new hotel supply and renewed international demand for rooms, particularly in the corporate sector. Te second biggest value rise in hotel stock
Manchester enjoyed double digit hotel value growth in 2014
Te city also witnessed the launch in March of the new Hotel Football, a venue directly opposite Old Trafford owned by a quintet of Manchester United legends. Elsewhere in the UK, Birmingham also
was in Manchester, up 13.5 per cent year-on- year to £121,470 (€167,510) per room. Te hike is partly attributable to the lack of new hotels in the city, according to HVS, a situation due to change as Manchester has a development pipeline of some 2,000 rooms opening by 2017.
Read Leisure Opportunities online:
www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital
managed double digit growth, following improved performance and growing investor interest, according to report co-author James Heavey – an analyst at HVS London. “Te trend for improving values should
be sustained in the foreseeable future,” noted report co-author Sophie Perret, HVS London director. Details:
http://lei.sr?a=y7Y3A
Twitter: @leisureopps © CYBERTREK 2015
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