The British Hospitality Association (BHA) presented its plans to boost the UK industry at its second annual Summit this week. With a tagline of Day One, the Summit outlined the BHA’s target of creating 300,000 jobs by 2020.
The morning of the Summit was focused on how the events of 2012 boosted international perception of the UK as a travel destination, and how this can be sustained to improve the economy.
The afternoon was dedicated to the Big Hospitality Conversation – an initiative that aims to provide more job opportunities in the sector.
Here is a summary of the key points:
“¢ The hospitality industry needs to build on the momentum and international interest from the Olympics, Paralympics and Golden Jubilee last year
“¢ The hospitality and tourism industries need to work in collaboration with the Government – preferably in the form of a specialised council
“¢ Tax reforms, simpler visa systems and investment in infrastructure are needed to attract more international tourists
“¢ The hospitality industry is one of the few in which employees can start from the bottom and work their way to the top
“¢ More opportunites in vocational education, work experience and apprenticeships are needed to improve the skills of young people and build on the industry’s growth
