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– Image Credit UKHospitality
- The Department for Business and Trade proposes changes to allow local hospitality businesses to offer package deals to promote domestic tourism.
- UKHospitality and other industry associations have played a significant role in securing these proposals.
UKHospitality, in collaboration with the Tourism Alliance, Professional Association of Self Caterers, and the Bed and Breakfast Association, have secured new proposals from the Department for Business and Trade. These proposals aim to allow local hospitality businesses to collaborate more effectively, offering customers package deals to promote staycations and boost domestic tourism.
The current regulations restrict local businesses from offering discounts or deals at nearby venues, a rule primarily intended to regulate travel companies offering overseas holidays. These rules necessitate businesses to meet several costly regulatory requirements, including insurance, to offer a package of deals. The coalition argues that these restrictions are outdated and unnecessary for UK’s local hospitality businesses, which may merely want to offer guests a discount at other local venues or attractions.
For instance, under the new proposals, a local hotel or B&B that does not offer dinner could partner with a nearby restaurant or pub to provide guests with discounted food options.
UKHospitality Chief Executive, Kate Nicholls, welcomed the proposals, stating that this is the type of needless regulation that the Government should be eliminating. She added that collaboration among local hospitality businesses can contribute to the local area and offer further incentives for tourists considering a staycation. Nicholls emphasized the need to cut red tape and replace it with smarter regulation, alongside taking more significant measures to reduce the growing cost burden for the hospitality sector. She expressed the organization’s full support for these proposals and hopes to see them implemented as soon as possible.
The move is seen as a positive step towards reducing unnecessary bureaucracy for members of the hospitality industry, which has been hit hard by the pandemic. By encouraging collaboration and joint offers, the proposals could stimulate local economies and boost the recovery of the hospitality sector.
