7th Apr 2010 - 00:00
Abstract
In a manifesto to all the political parties, issued today, the British Hospitality Association says that the hospitality industry needs the next government to make capital allowances better suited to new hotel development.
It also wants Tourist Green Zones to be set up in resorts, with tax incentives to aid regeneration. "One of the most damaging decisions of recent years was the Treasury's withdrawal of the Hotel Buildings Allowance and the introduction of an unsatisfactory new capital allowance regime," it states. The manifesto deplores the disintegration in recent years of the tourist board structure in England and the variable performance Regional Development Agencies in handling their tourism responsibilities. "This requires a complete structural review by government. We want to see the special nature of tourism marketing funding recognised: the outlay of public funds is more than repaid by the taxes paid by the additional visitors." Other measures that the manifesto wants include a more consistent approach to the funding of training and education in hospitality, combined with tax incentives to encourage businesses to train their staff. "The funding system for college courses and apprenticeships is a mess with cuts and constant changes." Pointing out that the industry is a major provider of new jobs and plays a significant role in offering entry-level employment, it criticises the planned increase in National Insurance contributions, "which risks destroying many of these opportunities, raising payroll costs when, in parts of the industry, such as restaurants, they can already exceed 40% of revenues." The manifesto pleads for the Department for Culture Media and Sport to act as a more effective interlocutor with other government departments when new regulations are being discussed. "Recent years have seen a big increase in regulation and bureaucracy, which risks stifling innovation and customer service and costs small businesses too much time and money to understand and implement." And, with an eye on recent moves by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) on the need for calorie-counted dishes on menus, it wants both the FSA and the European Commission to steer a more pragmatic course in relation to nutrition and other information on menus.