Taskforce calls for cross-Cabinet committee to coordinate hospitality policies

The establishment of a cross-Cabinet committee to coordinate government policies affecting the hospitality industry is one of the key recommendations to be made by the Tourism Regulation Taskforce which has been submitted to the Tourism Minister, John Penrose.

In the report - Smart Regulation and Economic Growth: Seizing the Tourism Opportuntiy - the Taskforce's chairman, Alan Parker, president of the British Hospitality Association (BHA), said that too often regulation introduced by one government department conflict with those of another department that also has an interest in the industry."

"[By creating a cross-Cabinet committee] government department would be able to acquire a much deeper appreciation of the overall impact of proposed regulations in every business in the industry and how we could create further growth and job opportunities," he explained.

Compiled by a number of industry individuals including Ufi Ibrahim, chief executive of the BHA, Jermey Goring of London's Goring hotel, and Peter Taylor of the Town House Collection, the report also calls for the removal of unnecessary red tape in the industry which would "make a real difference to the country's economic recovery".

More than 80 proposals are made in the report including amendments to visa controls so that Britain is a more welcoming destination for visitors, greater recognition of tourism in the planning process and reform of fire safety and health and safety regulations.

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