The British Hospitality Association is planning to merge with the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) to create a single trade body to represent the UK’s £130 billion hospitality sector.
The new body, to be called UKHospitality, will be led by the current ALMR chief executive Kate Nicholls.
It will represent hotels, visitor attractions, entertainment, leisure parks, restuarants, pubs, contract caterers and coffee shops.
The merger and Nicholl’s appointment is subject to the approval of an extraordinary general meeting.
"This sector is a vital, dynamic economic powerhouse whose importance is clear in our communities, our high streets and our everyday lives," said Nicholls. "It is one of our fastest growing, most productive industries and last year it delivered one in eight of all new jobs."
