A commitment to 16-24 year olds has already created over 34,000 job opportunities at events like this across the UK, which included inspirational talks from industry specialists such as Alastair Storey, Chairman of BaxterStorey, the UK’s fifth largest contract caterer.
He 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 nationwide campaign met at Glasgow’s Marriot Hotel on October 22nd and was led by the British Hospitality Association in partnership with Believe in Young People, Springboard, Barclays, Business in the Community, People First and the DWP.
The British Hospitality Association represents over 40,000 hospitality and tourism services and aims to work with government to create the right business environment for the industry to thrive in.
Ufi Ibrahim, CEO of the BHA said: “Our aim at the BHA is to bring the industry together and create 60,000 job opportunities for 16-24 year olds by 2016.”
William Macleod, Executive Director of BHA Scotland said: “The sector has consistently demonstrated resilience, adaptability and innovation, especially over the last five years or so and is showing clear signs of recovery.”
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%.