Trade aims to boost tourism

Associations unite to improve industry productivity

Britain should be able to compete with the rest of Europe and the world as a destination for visitors, according to tourism minister Dr Kim Howells.

Pubs, hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions need to be improved so more people want to visit, the minister told hospitality leaders.

Dr Howells (pictured)​ was speaking at the launch of the industry's best practice forum - an alliance of six trade associations dedicated to improving productivity in the industry.

The British Beer and Pub Association has joined forces with the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions, the British Hospitality Association, Business in Sport and Leisure and the Restaurant Association.

"We need to improve the competitiveness of tourism, hospitality and leisure by working with employers to improve productivity," Dr Howells said.

The forum is working on a five-year plan, called Profit through Productivity, which will support licensees and barstaff as well as other tourism employees, and help them improve their skills.

It has been funded partly by the Department of Trade and Industry, which has contributed £1.26m of the total £4.1m cost of the initiative.

Dr Howells pointed out that standards in pubs vary enormously across the country.

"We see very high standards and poor quality side by side," he said.

"We need to understand why that quality varies and why the good operators don't share their experience with the poor ones."

The best practice forum aims to improve the image of the industry and enhance its reputation so Britain can compete with overseas destinations.

"Poor standards and high prices damage the public's perception of the UK," Dr Howells explained.

Bob Cotton, chief executive of the British Hospitality Association, said the forum would begin by addressing the issue of staff.

"If we raise productivity levels, we release cash to put back into the industry. We are in difficult trading times but we must carry on investing in our people," he said.

A team from Surrey University, led by Professor Peter Jones, will be researching examples of best practice.

Over the next six months there will be a pilot scheme operating in London, the West Country and Cumbria, where 50 pubs will be examined alongside 50 small businesses in each of the other sectors.

Advice based on what the research team finds will be available on a website, www.bestpracticeforum.org, as well as on a helpline. Master class seminars, self-help kits, best practice visits and business development programmes will also be available from the forum, which will have its progress checked every six months.

Dr Howells said: "There has been massive damage done to the industry by foot-and-mouth and the recent events in the US. Capturing and sharing world class best practice is essential if we are to raise our game and meet the challenges facing our tourism, hospitality and leisure industries today."