Briefing: Hospitality is a valuable job creator

Travel & Tourism is one of the world’s largest industries and offers many fantastic opportunities for a great career. According to figures from WTTC the industry supports 277 million jobs and generates 9.8 per cent of world GDP. In the UK hospitality currently has a 3 million strong workforce and, in the run up to the general election, is being recognised as a key contributor to the UK economy.

In this briefing four experts discuss hospitality careers and share why they fell in love with the industry:

Key political parties in the UK have mentioned hospitality and tourism in their election manifesto’s, with each pledging to support the sector through various means. The recognition for this suburb industry has been welcomed by the British Hospitality Association, an organisation which campaigns for jobs and growth in the industry. The organisation is campaigning for 60,000 new job opportunities for young people in the UK by 2016 and has recently reached the 40,000 milestone. A report from the TourismAlliance, UK Tourism Statistics 2014, states that, ‘Tourism is the fastest growing sector in the UK in employment terms, responsible for almost one third of the net increase in UK jobs between 2010 and 2013.’

According to UNWTO one job in tourism generates 1.5 jobs elsewhere. UNWTOs publication Measuring Employment in the Tourism Industries says; ‘International tourism continues to exceed expectations, supporting economic growth in both advanced and emerging economies and bringing much needed support to job creation, GDP and the balance of payments of many destinations.’

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Video clips produced by yBC for the Hospitality Channel, including interview from industry conferences such as the IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.

Briefing: 60% of Consumers are acting on their conscience

Consumers’ buying choices are increasingly influenced by the social responsibility that brands have displayed, according to new research by Nielson. In the survey, 60% of global online consumers said that they are willing to pay extra for products and services from companies that are committed to positive social and environmental impact. This has increased from 45% in 2011. These attitudes were found to be strongest in the Asia-Pacific (64%), Latin America (63%), and Middle East/Africa (63%) regions.

In this briefing experts comment on how responsible business practice can drive profits and corporate value:

In September in the UK an initiative called Social Saturday encouraged consumers to buy from social enterprises. In relation to this event Social Enterprise UK and the Cabinet Office polled British adults on their attitude towards social responsibility in business. 1 in 3 people surveyed said they feel ashamed when they buy from a socially irresponsible business and 26% said that there is a stigma attached to buying from socially irresponsible businesses.

But this is more than a passive reaction to corporate responsibility. Research by Cone Communications and Echo Research found that 27% of global consumers believed that consumers themselves can have significant positive impact through their purchases. The study surveyed 10,000 citizens in 10 of the largest countries in the world (by GDP), and found that 91% of people believe companies must go beyond the minimum standards required by law to operate responsibly. It would seem that this is a matter that people not only care about but are willing to confront. Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed (62%) said they use social media to address or engage with companies around CSR and 93% said they will be more loyal to a company that supports CSR.

If you’ve been sent to this page and you’re not yet on the circulation list to receive these regular briefings and you would like to sign up, you can do see here. It’s free.

Video clips produced by ybc.hpgcms.wpengine.com for the Hospitality Channel, including interview from industry conferences such as the IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.

Gen Y seek freedom from old style management

Generation Y will be the largest part of the workforce in 2015. A new study from Ashridge Business School and MSLGROUP says that Generation Y have a completely different attitude to work. The study shows that Generation Y, also known as Millennials, no longer go into the world of work with the expectation of staying in one organization and working their way up. In fact, 43% of those surveyed worldwide said they intended to leave their current company in the next two years.

Experts from the hospitality industry comment on the Generation Y workforce:

Research shows that Generation Y would prefer to have some freedom to live their lives rather than dedicate all their time and energy to work. On average, 89% of the working under 30s surveyed by Ashridge in India, China, UK, France, USA and Brazil, said that work-life balance was important to them. This tallies with research by PwC in which 71% of their millennial employees said that work demands interfere with their personal lives. This report also found that: ‘Millennials do not believe that productivity should be measured by the number of hours worked at the office, but by the output of the work performed.’

Generation Y also wants a new type of manager. In the Ashridge survey, overall, less than a third (31%) felt the role their manager played fitted what they want. They consistently said their ideal manager would act as a friend or mentor. In their working lives, a sense of achievement, feeling valued or respected, and job security were also highly valued.

This week’s videos feature comment from:

  • Nicolas Mayer, Partner, Industry Leader – Lodging & Tourism, PWC on how to maximise your Gen Y workforce.

  • Karen Friebe, Partner, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP on increasing flexibility in work.

  • Ömer İsvan, President, Servotel Corporation on working with a new generation of talent.

  • Wolfgang Neumann, President & Chief Executive Officer, The Rezidor Hotel Group on company leaders connecting with Gen Y staff on social media.

If you’ve been sent to this page and you’re not yet on the circulation list to receive these regular briefings and you would like to sign up, you can do see here. It’s free.

Video clips produced by ybc.hpgcms.wpengine.com for the Hospitality Channel, including interview from industry conferences such as the IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.

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