"Hospitality and tourism play a key role in the everyday economy, operating at the heart of communities across the nation, creating millions of jobs, and acting as a huge contributor to national GDP.

In the UK, our industry contributes billions in tax receipts for HM Treasury and generates tens of billions worth of exports and business investment. In addition, the hospitality sector is the UK’s third largest employer – offering employment and training opportunities to people from all backgrounds and walks of life.

This is also a real growth industry, set to reach a global economic contribution of $16 trillion and create 449 million jobs worldwide by 2034. It is therefore crucial that the UK is in the strongest possible position to capitalise on the opportunities of our sector’s growth, so that our sector can in turn continue to drive wider economic growth, create new jobs, attract capital to the UK, and drive prosperity in local communities up and down the country.

But our sector does not operate in isolation; it does well when the economy as a whole does well. Like other sectors, it depends on the UK being an attractive business and investment environment; a great place to start and grow a business; a place where people want to live, work and visit. This in turn is driven by strong partnerships between industry and government, working together towards shared aims of growth, opportunity and prosperity.

In this paper, we explore the opportunities and challenges facing our industry, and look at the different ways in which, with the right support, our sector can both be a key driver of economic growth, and further grow the UK’s position as a leading visitor destination." 

Yasmin Diamond Executive Vice President – Global Corporate Affairs, IHG Hotels & Resorts