Claims this week that the value of the hospitality industry is being undervalued by the Government. The British Hospitality Association puts the shortfall at £6.5b claiming the official figure of £75b should in fact be revised up to £81.5b.
It didn’t stop tourism minister James Purnell announcing that tackling the hospitality industry’s skills shortage would now be one of his top priorities.
Still, politicians simply can’t help themselves it seems as a coalition of Tory and Liberal MPs have launched a bid to delay the start of the new licensing regime in England and Wales.
The battle for Jurys Doyle Hotels appears to have reignited again with a consortium of family members making a bid, while major shareholder Sean Dunne holds firm.
News that Hilton Group may sell its hotel business to American Hilton Corporation eclipsed the £65m purchase by Aurora International of Heathrow airport’s only planned hotel at the forthcoming Terminal 5.
What effect the new common accommodation standards will have on the hotel industry remains to be seen, as the classification criteria to be used to grade properties finally broke cover.
But thought for the day has to be that when all is said and done the great British Public simply wants to be loved, with a new survey suggesting customers would happily trade longer opening hours for a warm welcome from staff.
Also in the news:
- Café Rouge and Bella Italia operator Tragus could be adding a major new brand to its business. Although it has not confirmed a timeframe for the new venture, it suggests the new brand might be Spanish-based.
- InterContinential announces a management reshuffle in order to serve its ambitious expansion of 50-60,000 new rooms over the next three years.
- A team of celebrity chefs, including Gary Rhodes, Nigel Slater and AWT have singed an open letter to pressure the Government into banning fast-food TV adverts during kids’ programmes.
Quote of the Week:
“This is the kind of place Tony Blair should be safe, but I was eaten alive in my bed.” Labour party delegate at the Brighton Grand hotel.