British Hospitality Association chief executive Bob Cotton has called on the support of all hoteliers and restaurateurs to help lobby government.
At the BHA’s annual luncheon, he stressed the economic importance of the industry to the guest of honour, Mayor of London Boris Johnson, and 600 members and guests.
“Tourism and hospitality is the economic lifeline for many regions of the country,†he said.
“It is ready to expand. It is ready to create new jobs. It is prepared to invest in the future. But only if government gives it the right encouragement.
“All of us in the industry – nationally, regionally, locally – have the task of ensuring that our politicians and parliamentary candidates at the next general election fully understand the scale of the contribution that the industry makes to the economy. And, more important, the even greater contribution it could make if only government would take it seriously.”
He said recent withdrawal of the Hotel Buildings Allowance and other tax incentives was a double whammy which was now deterring the 40,000 or privately owned hospitality businesses from investing in their future.
“In the current economic climate, the overwhelming objective for UK hospitality and tourism is to provide even greater value for money than ever before. We can do this only through investment in our people and our product,†he said.
“The industry needs a government that understands that tourism remains a key economic driver – both nationally and in the regions. Do we have this understanding? I fear not.”
He said now was the time that the industry needed tax and fiscal incentives to encourage its continuing investment in new hotels and restaurants, in its refurbishment programmes and in additions and extensions.
“It is ironic that government actions are achieving the opposite result.”
By Bev Fearis
