To my hospitality family, past, present, and most importantly, future…
Before the current global situation unfolded Hospitality was a greater contributor to UK plc than the combined economic contribution of the Pharma, Aeronautic and automotive industries. We employ (not employed) over five million people, which is greater than that of motor manufacturing and financial services sectors in this country and yet, championing us at ministerial level is split unceremoniously between several different ministers all with separate portfolios and areas of responsibility well outside of hospitality. Essentially one of our economies largest contributors is almost an afterthought in comparison to the many other industries out there.
Over the last few years, I have championed the Hospitality industry as an industry that people should aspire towards being a part of, and under the banner of #InspiringHospitalityTalent I have worked with numerous globally recognised employers to inspire our future generations, be that school leavers, people with hidden or visible disabilities or people from disadvantaged backgrounds, towards our industry, and every time we have provided those meaningful hospitality encounters for our future team members, the results have been nothing short of extraordinary.
So, to the next generation of our ever-evolving industry, the simple fact is that our future is you and to make that future as bright as I know it can be, we really need the government to recognise our undeniable worth and appoint a minister for our industry.
As I write this over 140,000 people have signed the petition to give our industry its #SeatAtTheTable this means that Parliament will ‘consider’ our petition for a debate. The more people that sign this petition the louder our voice becomes, so please – please – sign this today, and have your friends, family, guests and customers sign. Every signature counts and I am grateful and proud of everyone that has lent, and will lend, their voice towards this landmark in how hospitality is perceived by our government.
The future isn’t written, but it does start by making a stand, signing this petition and securing a Minister for Hospitality who will fight for us when we need it, and right now we certainly need it.
If you haven’y already, Please Sign Here
Thank you,
Robert Richardson FIH, General Manager of The Cave Hotel & Golf Resort
Vice Chairman of The Institute of Hospitality
