Hospitality industry puts its faith in leisure market and short breaks

PRIVATE sector customers can help West Yorkshire's hotels and venues bounce back after a year spent "looking into the abyss" and in which room rates have slumped, according to one of the industry's leading figures.

Gordon Jackson, chairman of Leeds Hotels Association (LHA), which includes accommodation in the city centre and on the edges of Bradford and Wakefield, told the Yorkshire Post that demand for conferences and training from business clients had begun to rise but he was expecting the dearth of public sector bookings to continue.

The hospitality industry suffered in the recession with hotel occupancy down by five to six per cent and rates about 3 to 5 a night lower per room sold, Mr Jackson said, while the owner of boutique hotel The Ellington went into administration five months after opening. Now the jazz-inspired, five-star hotel is set to re-open under new ownership.

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Mr Jackson, also general manager of Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa, on the edge of Leeds, said: "It has been an extremely difficult year. We have seen occupancy, especially in the business markets, fall, especially with tough economic times with less business travel and fewer meetings taking place, and these are the bread and butter of Leeds hotels. (However) the leisure market and, in terms of short breaks, has held up quite well."

Mr Jackson was speaking before the association's annual awards at Elland Road stadium. He said the event honoured people who had "gone the extra mile in terms of public service and achieving above expectations" and – to his surprise – he was given a special award for making a major contribution to tourism.

He also said hospitality was a "resilient trade" and hotels would carry on whatever the circumstances in which they found themselves.

The association, which has 38 members, including Cedar Court in Wakefield, and venues like Leeds Metropolitan University and the Royal Armouries, found that more businesses were investing in training and staff development which he hoped would create an "uplift" for the next year.

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He said this could mitigate the heavy public sector cuts which are set to start falling immediately.

"We are more optimistic going on for this year than we were this time last year. We were looking into the abyss."

The trading environment has improved since then, he said, but remained some way off that of a few years ago, he said.

"Every hotel will be concentrating on ensuring that guests receive good value for money at affordable rates as people's disposable income is squeezed."

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Members of the association were among more than 100 representatives from the Leeds business community who travelled to Barcelona in March for

a three-day festival of culture and commerce, designed to raise the profile of the West Yorkshire city.

The association was set up four years ago with 15 hotels.

Leeds aims to make impact in London

Leeds's qualities as a location for conference and events are due to be showcased in London today.

Hospitality business leaders are taking part in Leeds in London, which has been organised by Marketing Leeds to coincide with the Chelsea Flower Show.

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Staff from the city's conference venues, including City Inn, Flybe, The Hilton Hotel, Leeds United, The Met Hotel, Radisson Blu, Royal Armouries International, Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa and Well Met Conferencing, will meet 40 London based-conference buyers in the hope of attracting them to Yorkshire.

Deborah Green, chief executive of Marketing Leeds said: "Leeds has built a reputation as a premier destination for conferences and events, with some award winning venues and a host of attractions for the business traveller to experience once the working day is over."

The event was organised with Leeds City Council, Conference Leeds, Leeds Hotels Association (LHA) and Square Meal Venues and Events, a business tourism publication.

The event follows last year's Leeds in London, which highlighted Leeds, particularly its legal and financial centres, to an international audience.

AWARD WINNERS

Bright idea

Winner: Martin Perry, Royal Armouries International

Runner-up: Bob Maginess, The Met

Leeds Live it, Love it Award

Winner: Helen Briden, Leeds United

Runner-up: Keith Brooke, Thorpe Park Hotel and Spa

Rising Star

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Winner: Martin Wlordarczyk: Weetwood Hall Conference Centre and Hotel

Runner-up: Rebecca Bulmer, Thorpe Park Hotel and Spa

Highly commended: Kelly Webb, The Queens

Team of the Year

Winner: The Kitchen Brigade: The Queens

Runner-up: Reservations Department, Bewleys

Highly commended: Concierge Team, De Vere Oulton Hall; Well Met Conference Team, Leeds Metropolitan University

Exceptional Customer Service

Winner: Leonardo Carter, Etap, Leeds

Runner-up: Michael Fleet, Thorpe Park Hotel and Spa

Highly commended: Sarah Howarth and Tom Fligg, Chevin Country Park Hotel and Spa

Unsung Hero

Winner: Michael Fox, The Queens

Runner-up: Steve Kersh, Royal Armouries International

Major Contribution to Tourism

Winner: Gordon Jackson, Thorpe Park Hotel and Spa