NEWS IN DEPTH | SPECIAL REPORT Bosses blame Brexit for UK recruitment crisis


More than 260 delegates met in Cardiff for UKinbound’s Annual Convention, discussing the impact of Brexit, recruitment and tourism taxes. Ian Taylor reports


Fact box Panel speakers


on tourism sector recruitment, say inbound travel leaders.


B Senior figures at the UKinbound


Annual Convention in Cardiff urged the government to limit post-Brexit restrictions on EU workers. Karin Urban, non-executive


director of inbound tour operator Hotels & More, said its number of EU [job] applicants had fallen 50% “and we have not left the EU yet”. “There is huge uncertainty, but


it will be reflected [more] next year and the year after,” she told delegates. “The government wants


evidence now, but evidence will come in two to three years.” Roberto Pardal, director of


tour operator EuroWelcome, said: “We are interviewing in Spain and having to sell the UK to people.” Kelly Strong, Strong


Recruitment managing director, added: “The government is not making any reassuring comments. The job situation in Spain and Poland is much better now and people are resigning to go home. “They say ‘I’ll never get on


the housing ladder [in Britain]’. Salaries in London are not good enough. There is such a shortage of language skills and no reassurance from the government.”


8 TravelGBI | March 2018


ritain’s decision to leave the European Union is having an adverse impact


Brexit nervousness


Richard Bryan, managing director of Qa Research, which carries out a regular confidence survey of UKinbound members, said: “There is nervousness about what will happen to EU workers and freedom of movement of visitors to Britain post-Brexit.” Deirdre Wells, UKinbound chief


executive, added: “We know how hard it is to employ people from non-EU countries. We’re trying to get the message across forcibly to government about the demand for language skills.” Stephen Darke, the Department


for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s head of tourism, told inbound business leaders: “Top- level immigration issues need to be resolved. What you have said will be reported to ministers – please give feedback on roles and skill sets you are struggling to fill.” Darke added: “Aviation is a


big issue – the Department for Transport wants to take that forward for negotiation as early as possible.”


Tourism taxes


The crisis in UK council funding is leading many towns and cities to consider taxes on tourists. The London Assembly is seeking


to impose a bed tax, while cities including Hull and Bath have also proposed such a tax.


There is a shortage of language skills and no reassurance from the government


The Welsh government has


called for suggestions on how a tourist tax might work. But Wells said: “Tourists more


than pay their way. I understand why councils think this is a potential funding crisis solution, but we have concerns. “Punishing tourists is a pretty


drastic reaction. There is also a practical challenge – the only way to collect this is through a bed tax, which penalises people who stay the night, when that is what we want to encourage.” Wells added: “We need to invest


in tourism management so there is planning [in relation to] visitor numbers. You could incentivise people to come at off-peak times. “We need public engagement


about the benefits of tourism, in the hinterlands as well as hot spots. This pays for schools and hospitals through VAT contributions.”


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◗ UKinbound’s annual Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner was held in the National Museum Wales. Comedian Rod Woodward provided entertainment and presented the awards, which included AC Group (Tour Operator of the Year); Cutty Sark (Individual Attraction of the Year); and Visit Greenwich (Destination Marketing Organisation of the Year). The Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism was given to Karin Urban, Hotels & More Ltd. ◗ Delegates joined a familiarisation trip to Cardiff attractions including the Principality Stadium, Cardiff Castle and Cardiff Bay. ◗ Next year’s Convention will be held in Glasgow.


travelgbi.com Deirdre Wells


Convention theme: ‘What’s Next for Tourism?’ Location: Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel & Spa ◗ Keynote speaker: PY Gerbeau, visiting professor at London Business School & Imperial College. He discussed what a tourism business needs to do to survive: be adaptable and flexible; lock up enough resources to weather a crisis; and protect staff and brands. ◗ The convention included B2B workshops; an exhibition of Welsh suppliers including Surf Snowdonia, the Royal Mint Experience and the Millennium Centre; business seminar sessions covering subjects such as translating experiences into bookable product, The Wales Way, The Connected Traveller, and a VAT and legal update.


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