There can be few better qualified and more influential industry leaders to give a keynote address on ‘Tourism – the significance for the UK economy’ at the forthcoming 5th Annual BAHA Hospitality Finance, Revenue Management and IT Professionals Conference and Exhibition, than the new Chief Executive of the British Hospitality Association (BHA).
Formerly Chief Operations Officer of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) – where she worked with governments and industry across the world, advising on policymaking and the development of planning frameworks for the long-term success of travel and tourism – BHA Chief Executive Ufi Ibrahim (see ‘Notes to Editors’ for biography) will be presenting the keynote speech kick-starting the afternoon sessions at the one-day BAHA Annual Conference on Thursday, 25 November 2010 at the Sofitel Hotel, London Heathrow at Terminal 5.
Having welcomed Prime Minister David Cameron’s speech in August which extolled the importance of tourism, the BHA Chief Executive believes it is now time to create the conditions in which the hospitality, tourism and leisure industry can grow and prosper. In this objective, she has been supported by the findings of the recently published study into ‘Economic Contribution of the UK Hospitality Industry’ – commissioned by the BHA and undertaken by Oxford Economics, which highlighted the importance of the hospitality industry to the UK economy.
The report revealed that hospitality is the UK’s fifth largest industry in job terms – employing over 2.4 million people (1 in 13 of total jobs), contributing £34 billion in gross tax revenue. It also forecasted 236,000 net additional jobs, compared to today, by 2015 – provided a supportive government framework was put in place. Achieving this is a BHA priority concern.
The study lays the base for setting BHA’s agenda and future actions, enabling the Association to lead the industry in positive partnership with government. “We are seeking a real change from the new Government so that it champions the hospitality industry through a strong partnership that benefits the BHA’s members, the wider society and the UK economy in general,” explained the BHA Chief Executive.
She believes that at a time when the Government’s spending review could lead to redundancies and job losses, the hospitality industry could become one of the key drivers of economic recovery and sustainable growth.
BAHA Chief Executive Carl Weldon is delighted to welcome Ufi Ibrahim as the keynote speaker opening the afternoon and educational workshop sessions at the Conference. “We are really pleased that Ufi can attend her first BAHA Annual Conference and Exhibition as leader of the national trade association for the hotel, food service and leisure industry. She is already making a significant mark on the industry; and her presentation is a great opportunity to remind delegates of what a fantastic profession they are part of. We wish Ufi and the BHA every success in their endeavours on the industry’s behalf.
“We totally support last month’s BHA report – entitled ‘Creating Jobs in Britain - A Hospitality Economy Proposition’, outlining what the profession has to offer the UK economy and how the Government can work in partnership with the industry to help drive economic recovery. We applaud Ufi and the BHA in challenging the Coalition Government to make an enduring commitment at the highest level to help make Britain a world-class destination for tourism and business.”
As in previous years, the Annual Conference of BAHA – the UK’s leading educational organisation for professionals involved in financial management, revenue management and IT within the hospitality industry – will be supported by a growing and increasingly influential exhibition of IT and systems suppliers. They will be providing delegates with a ‘one stop shop’ to view and interact with the latest and ‘best in class’ technologies – covering all eventualities for hospitality businesses, whether they be start-up, established independent, or multi chain-owned, operations.
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