Murray Roberts talks about the need for migrant workers in hospitalit Value of good amenities | Page 4

NEWS
CAN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY BENEFIT
FROM BREXIT?
H In the months following the vote to
leave the European Union, Britain saw
a significant drop in the devaluation of
the British pound. This made the UK an
appealing place for tourists, particularly
so for North American visitors, as the Euro
devalued against the dollar. This boost to
the hospitality industry is sure to increase
in the UK if the pound devalues further,
particularly so if Brits choose to holiday in
the UK through being less than impressed
by the euros they will get for their pound.
According to the British Hospitality
Association, the UK hospitality industry
would see further benefits if the government
lowers the tourism VAT to 5 per cent, as this
would encourage foreign travellers to visit
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Britain, thus contributing furthermore to
the hospitality industry. At present visitors
pay three times as much VAT compared to
Germany, France, and Scandinavia and twice
as much as Portugal, Italy and Spain.
A lot will depend on the negotiations
and the status of migrant workers in
the hospitality sector, but the benefit
for those wishing to work in the
industry could be greater than ever as a
significant rise in new job roles may be
on offer for UK citizens.
There is of course great speculation from
the hospitality workforce and the general
public regarding Brexit, and what it will
actually mean to the hospitality industry
remains uncertain.