Representatives from over 100 Scottish businesses in the hospitality and tourism sector have pledged to create job opportunities which will build legacy for hospitality in Scotland, and give tourism the opportunity to succeed, grow and compete internationally.
342 pledges at Big Hospitality Conversation, Glasgow
Meeting over one hundred young jobseekers at Glasgow’s Marriott Hotel on 22 October 2014 at The Big Hospitality Conversation, the companies made 342 pledges, which included 97 jobs, 65 apprenticeships and 180 work experience opportunities which will help to reduce youth unemployment amongst 16-24 year olds in Scotland.
The Big Hospitality Conversation is a nationwide campaign led by the British Hospitality Association in partnership with Believe in Young People, Springboard, Barclays, Business in the Community, People First and the DWP. It offers a commitment to creating job opportunities for 16-24 year olds. Over 34,000 job opportunities have so far been created at events like Glasgow.
Time for Scottish hospitality to capitalise
Alastair Storey, Chairman of BaxterStorey said: “The spotlight has been shining on Scotland for most of 2014 with the Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup and the Year of Homecoming events, not to mention the political activities, so now’s the time for the Scottish hospitality industry to capitalise on its international notoriety.
“The Big Hospitality Conversation in Glasgow was inspiring and it was wonderful to see so many high profile businesses coming together to provide opportunities to the next generation of hospitality professionals.”
Support for tourism to succeed, grow, compete
William Macleod, Executive Director BHA Scotland said: “Tourism and hospitality are almost unique in their capacity to build international cultural understanding. What’s important now is that tourism is given every support to succeed, grow and compete internationally. The sector has consistently demonstrated resilience, adaptability and innovation, especially over the last five years or so and is showing clear signs of recovery. This recovery can be sustained if the economic and political conditions are in place to support this. There are a number of British and international hospitality organisations that are investing in Scotland and others have declared their interest in doing the same.”
Research from Barclays estimates that domestic tourists will contribute over £13bn to the Scottish economy by 2017 and that foreign tourism spend is set to increase in Scotland by 40%.
Companies who attended the event included
Accor Hotels, BaxterStorey, Blythswood Square Hotel, Cameron House, Chardon Trading, City of Glasgow College, Crerar Hotels, Crowne Plaza Hotel Resorts, CS Consultancy, Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Edinburgh City Centre, Dumfries and Galloway Council, DWP, Fife Council, Gather and Gather, Glasgow City Council Education Services, Gleneagles Hotel, Goal Training, Holiday Inn Glasgow Theatre, Hospitality Events Scotland, Kibble Education and Care Centre, Major Events International, Marriott Hotels, Menzies Glasgow Hotel, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, North Lanarkshire Council, Old Course Hotel, Portland Hotels, Premier Inn, Prince’s Trust, Scotland Government, Springboard UK, The Gleneagles Hotel, The National Trust For Scotland, The Town House Collection, Training Matters, University of Strathclyde, Whitbread Hotels & Restaurants, Jury’s Inn, Working Links, Hilton Glasgow, Hotel Indigo Glasgow, Ed’s Easy Diner, Apex Hotels and many others.
Find out more @BHAtweets and www.bha.org.uk
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