The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has today welcomed the Government’s announcement of a Sector Deal for Tourism, stating that it will greatly boost pubs, brewers and hospitality.
Pubs are third on the list of things to do for overseas visitors to the UK and over half visit a pub whilst they are here. Ensuring Britain’s tourism offer remains competitive through a sector deal is therefore good news for pubs, the hospitality sector and those brewers located in tourist hotspots. It shows that tourism, as the third largest service sector, ranks alongside manufacturing and technology as being vital to the future of the UK, says the BBPA.
As the UK prepares to leave the European Union, it is imperative that UK nationals see working in a pub, brewery and the wider hospitality sector as an appealing career option. Recruitment and retention are vital when, as it stands, BBPA data suggests that 24% of pub employees come from overseas, rising to over 80% in metropolitan areas. The BBPA believes the Sector Deal for Tourism will boost recruitment by promoting important tourism careers like those in pubs and hospitality through enhanced apprenticeship schemes and additional funding for staff training.
Other key parts of the sector deal will be Tourism Zones, events to attract businesses to the UK, infrastructure support (including broadband), accessibility investment and shared tourism data. All of these are welcomed by the BBPA, whose members continue to invest in their pubs, pub bedrooms and hotels, which are essential to the tourism industry.
Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, comments:
“Brewing and pubs are vital attractions for our tourism industry, which is why the BBPA has been at the heart of the development of the Sector Deal for Tourism. Working with VisitBritain, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Business, Enterprise, Innovation and Skills, we have created a partnership with support from across Government that will boost our sector.
“The BBPA will be leading on the skills aspect of the sector deal, pledging £100,000 towards a recruitment and retention campaign. This will help attract and retain talent in our industry and provide them with a clear and exciting career pathway.
“London alone is aiming for 30% growth in visitors by 2025, so the Sector Deal for Tourism is both timely and welcome. We hope it will be the beginning of greater support and understanding across
Government of tourism and the place of hospitality in it, creating an industry which is world class.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Adam Beazley, Communications & Campaigns Officer: 020 7627 9155 / 07507 836 708
Notes to editors:
The British Beer & Pub Association is the leading body representing Britain’s brewers and pub companies. The Association is more than a century old and was originally founded as the Brewers’ Society in 1904. Our members account for some 90 per cent of beer brewed in Britain today, and own around 20,000 of the nation’s pubs.
Simon Emeny, Chief Executive of Fuller, Smith & Turner, comments:
“The hospitality industry needs a pipeline of talented people and this Sector Deal for Tourism will boost that pipeline. It’s great news that our industry, which contributes £23 billion to UK PLC, is being recognised in this way and I look forward to working with the Government to promote the great career opportunities we have to offer.”
Ralph Findlay, Chief Executive of brewer and pub operator Marston’s PLC, comments:
“I welcome the announcement of a Sector Deal for Tourism. I know from the data we collect in Marston’s pubs and hotels just how important tourism is for our business, and as Britain’s largest exporter of traditional British beers the tourism market is a brilliant opportunity to showcase our fantastic beers. The pub and brewing sectors are significant employers, and I look forward to seeing career opportunities in these sectors being promoted as opportunities for life.”
Jonathan Neame, Chief Executive of brewer and pub operator Shepherd Neame, comments:
“A Sector Deal for Tourism shows Government commitment to our sector and is very welcome for the tourism industry, which is worth £127 billon to the UK economy. Pubs are very much a part of this, and it is one of our best kept secrets that you can be running an exciting business at, or even before, the age of 25. For entrepreneurs who enjoy working with people, it is one of the best possible careers out there.”
James Staughton, Chief Executive of brewer and pub operator St Austell, comments:
“As a company who trades in the South West of England we welcome the Sector Deal for Tourism and the Government’s support for the tourist industry which plays such an important part in the region’s economy. Broadband coverage remains inconsistent across our region with many businesses still held back by poor speeds. This additional investment will help reach customers worldwide and enable tourism-related businesses in particular to benefit from an extended season and greater sharing of tourism data to assist them in their decision making.”
Simon Townsend, Chief Executive at Ei Group, comments:
“We very much welcome the new Sector Deal for Tourism and the recognition from Government of the importance of pubs in ensuring the UK remains an attractive place to visit and invest in.
“As the UK’s largest owner and operator of community pubs, we are committed to promoting the sector as a career of choice, transforming lives through offering meaningful employment and improving peoples’ skills, so a supportive sector deal will help us achieve even more.”