Officially opening both-day Hotel & Catering Show 2013 (H&CS), Deirdre Wells OBE, Head of Tourism for the dept for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), set the agenda for the revamped hospitality event in a keynote which addressed ways that the govt helps tackle economic recovery through tourism investment within the South of britain.
“Economic growth should be achieved through labor and DCMS is operating equally hard to nurture that growth. With 80% of UK tourism coming from the domestic market, it’s really important that all of us interact [tourism attractions, hotel owners and the govt] to create a good image of the united kingdom, educating consumers about what’s on their doorstep and reminding them of what’s great about holidaying in Britain.
“In Visit Britain’s Brands Nations Index, in the course of the London 2012 Olympic Games period Britain’s ‘welcome’ rose from twelfth position to ninth, that is a mirrored image of improved perceptions of purchaser service amongst our international audience and of perceptions of england as an overseas tourist destination.
“Over four years, VisitBritain’s international campaign, including GREAT, will invest greater than £130 million in inbound tourism to the united kingdom. Another GREAT Britain campaign for the domestic market will launch this fall and we’re investing £2 million on this follow up campaign, with a purpose to build at the success of the 20.12 per cent ‘Holiday at Home’ campaign,” said Ms Wells. “Early forecasts show that our investment within the GREAT campaign to this point is projected to aid generate around 1 / 4 of one billion pounds for the British economy over the following two years.”
Running throughout today (5th) and tomorrow (6th), H&CS 2013 has undergone a thrilling re-launch with new features, culinary attractions and must-attend professional seminars led by the industry’s biggest names, to guarantee it serves because the ultimate, trade-only regional event for chefs and proprietors within the hospitality sector within the South of britain.
As you read this, Anthony Pender, Director of the successful and popular Yummy Pub Company, is being interviewed survive stage, 12.00-12.45pm, to share his pointers on starting your individual business, be it a cafe, a restaurant, a pub or a hotel. From writing the initial marketing strategy and accessing funds, to finding the suitable venue and planning your marketing to be successful, ‘New horizons in hospitality: Steps to starting your personal hospitality business’ was designed to present show visitors the fine details on tips on how to turn those dreams into reality.
Later this afternoon Steve Lowy, chief executive, Umi Hotel & Umi Design, will ask ‘What does your website REALLY say for your customer’ in a workshop session packed filled with tips about motivating and attractive with customers online to reinforce their experience and increase sales.
The first ever The workers Canteen LIVE- a collaboration between H&CS and digital platform www.TheStaffCanteen.com – also got underway today with four of the UK’s top chefs, Tom Kerridge, Paul Ainsworth, Chris Stains and Russell Brown, showcasing their remarkable skills, innovative techniques and use of surprising ingredients in a succession of live cookery demonstrations.
Over at Chef’s Kitchen, contract catering giant Sodexo are busy prepping their dishes in a contest to serve the most productive 60-cover lunch dining experience for an audience of VIPs. Visitors will watch the magic unfold as they see Sodexo’s chefs prepare and create their greatest artworks in an open plan kitchen. A chef commentator will offer explanations of the techniques and strategies getting used whist viewers sample amuse bouche tasters. Compass will go nose to nose with the result of today’s judging of their own VIP lunch service tomorrow from 10am.