It also revealed an array of facts from its upcoming report, which aims to highlight the “economic contribution made by the UK’s hospitality businesses,” including:
- The sector employs 3.2 million people
- Added £72 billion to the UK economy since the economic downturn – making it the fastest growing sector
- Generates £38 billion in taxation to fund vital national and local services
Chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “The inaugural UKHospitality conference was a fantastic recognition of the vital work being carried out by a dynamic and exciting sector.
“The figures announced today confirm what everyone associated with the sector already knows - that we are crucial to thehealth of the UK economy, providing much-needed growth, investment and jobs in every single region of the UK.
“The sector is at the heart of communities across the country but is too often overlooked. Hospitality is the third largest private sector employer in the UK -double the size of financial services and bigger than automotive, pharmaceuticals and aerospace combined.
“It has played a key part in helping the economy through tough times.
“UKHospitality’s ambition is to see that hospitality is recognised by the Government as the major economic and social force that it is; recognised as an attractive and exciting career pathway for young workers and given the support it needs grow even more.
“Yesterday’s conference has been a fantastic celebration of the sector and a launch pad for UKHospitality’s future work.”
Speaking at the London-based event, tourism Minister Michael Ellis also paid tribute to the UK’s hospitality sector, commenting: “This is a sector that has supported record-breaking 2017 growth and a £24 billion spend by foreign travellers.
“Perhaps equally impressively, it is not just a preeminent export earner, there is also a huge domestic market too - with UK tourists spending over £23 billion on domestic visits in 2017.
“The hospitality sector is not, however, just about phenomenal economic success, it is also about enriching people’s lives.
“Without brilliant hospitality - travellers and visitors to, and around, our astonishingly diverse land would not have the experiences that keep the UK consistently ranked as one of the best global tourist destinations.”