City hoteliers seeking more support in 2024

HOTELIERS in Bristol are looking for increased support for the hospitality industry from the Government in 2024.

The Bristol Hoteliers Association (BHA) said it hopes this “will be the year that hospitality is given the support that recognises the huge contribution it makes to the UK economy”.

Data recently released by UK Hospitality says the sector is the UK’s third largest employer, directly giving work to 3.5 million people and accounting for 10% of all UK jobs. Hospitality also provides some £7.5bn worth of investment in UK high streets and communities every year, according to the data.

BHA chair Raphael Herzog, pictured, said: “The importance of hospitality to the UK economy should not be underestimated, which is why we deserve to get the support we need to sustain our sector.

“Overall, occupancy rates were good in 2023 and have given us something to build on but it seems as if we are always being presented with additional challenges, too. The biggest impact on our sector for 2024 at present is the increase to the National Living Wage which the Chancellor announced in his Autumn statement.

“This will rise by almost 10% from April, but it’s not the Government who will pay the increased wages, it is us.”

Mr Herzog added: “It will be interesting to see, as we enter a General Election year, whether the budget in March will offer us any kind of meaningful support.”

Mr Herzog continued: “The latest data from UK Hospitality gives a very clear indication of the significance of our sector to the nation’s economy, so we hope that 2024 is the year that we finally see some serious recognition of this from Government and see some support which can enable us to continue to contribute to this country in a positive and meaningful way.”