Jobs will go unless service improves

The chairman of VisitBritain has today warned that poor service and lack of attention to detail will result in up to 50,000 jobs being cut in the hospitality sector unless efforts improve.

Speaking to The Independent newspaper, Christopher Rodrigues who represents tourism boards across the UK said there is still a 'Basil Fawlty' feel to hotels and restaurants: "We've had a period in which people could get away with not being of the highest quality. We're now in an environment where you have to do quality. Poor value for money and poor service costs jobs and will cost more jobs in a recession."

He added that service must improve but stressed that it doesn't have to be five-star: "Five-star can be memorable but actually there are an awful lot of memorable hotels that are bed and breakfasts – a really nice English breakfast served with a smile and a comfortable bed, where there's a clean bar of soap and the towels are fluffy – that can be all it takes."

Rodrigues estimated that tourism earnings would fall by £4billion.

He highlighted how professionalism is paramount and concluded: "There will be one or two people who fall by the wayside because their product isn't up to snuff, they're greedy on price, the bank doesn't support and there's no marketing."

Words: Clare Riley

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