Airport growth is vital for jobs

THE Hospitality Industry is the UKs fourth largest employer, employing 10% of the workforce in more than 180,000 businesses, it is also one of the fastest growing in the UK expected to create 300,000 new jobs by 2020.

Similarly the Hospitality Industry is equally important to the local economy here in West London.

The Heathrow Hoteliers Association represents the 30 hotels located at Heathrow Airport, which together employ over 3,500 people with thousands more new jobs due to be created in the next two years as new hotels open. These jobs include many opportunities for young people on apprenticeships, and the Heathrow Hoteliers Association is proud of the work we have done with industry organisations to encourage young people to learn skills and develop their careers in hospitality.

We are very conscious that if it wasn’t for Heathrow Airport being here, we wouldn’t be able to create the careers in hospitality that we have done, and we believe that the airport is vital to the continued growth of our industry and our ability to create new local jobs in the future.

Heathrow Airport is now undergoing a consultation about expansion, and our Association hopes that our employees and local residents will engage in this exercise and attend their local consultation events. In our view expansion of the airport presents a real opportunity to ensure that the hotel industry continues to thrive and create opportunities for businesses, visitors, and local residents through new employment opportunities right here in west London.

Richard Lee Chair, Heathrow Hoteliers

Association