Speaking at the British Hospitality Association annual summit yesterday (5 June), Minister for Tourism Helen Grant announced a new Tourism Council – an industry-led board of employers and leading players in the sector – that will share and develop best practice so that tourism in Britain continues to thrive.
Many questions, of course, remain to be answered: the full remit of the Council, its members (like all such bodies, it would benefit from some members who challenge convention – especially for ‘boosting enterprise’), its full remit, and its ability to genuinely foster development and change.
However, as a sign that Government is taking tourism and hospitality (and why is ‘hospitality’ not part of its title?) seriously, the formation of the Council could mark an important step forward.
Partnership between Government and the sector
The Council will form a partnership between the Government and the tourism and hospitality sector that will focus on improving skills, increasing the quality and quantity of jobs available, and boosting enterprise in the industry. It will hold its inaugural meeting next month, and will be co-Chaired by the Tourism Minister, the Minister for Skills and Enterprise, Matthew Hancock and Simon Vincent, a senior industry representative from Hilton Worldwide.
Minister for Tourism, Helen Grant said:
“The tourism and hospitality industry helps us sell Britain, helps contribute to economic growth and helps drive investment. The Government is committed to working in partnership with industry to build on the success achieved in continuing to deliver further economic benefits for the UK economy and businesses across the country.”
Skills and Enterprise Minister, Matthew Hancock said:
“Small businesses in towns and villages across the country are the bedrock of our tourism industry and an important part of the wider economy. We must do everything we can to ensure they have the right environment to thrive and grow.
“This includes making sure that young people are equipped with the skills to work productively in this sector. Last year, there were over 27,000 apprentices in Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality roles and I am keen for this number to increase. This council will support the development of skills, the sharing of best practices and provide means for tourist businesses to innovate and grow.”
Membership of the Council
The Council will be made up of 22 members representing industries engaged in transportation, hospitality, entertainment, travel, accommodation and services actively marketed to inbound and domestic travellers. Signed up members include VisitBritain, VisitEngland and the British Hospitality Association along with companies such as Whitbread, Easyjet and Expedia.
Cross-Government council for tourism
Simon Vincent, President, EMEA, Hilton Worldwide said:
“This is the first time we have had a cross-Government council looking specifically at tourism. The active involvement of both the Tourism Minister and the Minister for Skills and Enterprise means the council can focus on the key areas of skills and training and quality of service, in the first instance. Taken together, these things are central to helping deliver growth, competitiveness and innovation in our industry.”
Ufi Ibrahim, CEO of the British Hospitality Association said:
“By establishing the Tourism Council, the government is affording the hospitality and tourism industry an equivalent voice to other sectors helping to drive forward the economy. We congratulate Helen Grant MP and Matt Hancock MP for making such a major and important reform, and we commit to working with the Council toward increased job creation and improved skills development.”
The Tourism Council will meet every 3-4 months and builds on the work already announced by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills who earlier this year announced tourism and hospitality would be part of the trailblazers programme – an initiative designed to develop a clear and concise apprenticeship standards throughout many industries in the UK.
Pictured top: Ufi Ibrahim, Helen Grant, Simon Vincent