THIS Christmas trading period will be like no other we have experienced in living memory. The concept of operating in a ‘new normal’ has come and gone for the hospitality sector. This is now an abnormal trading period which has required an extraordinary response.
Just this month, Hospitality Ulster marked its 150th anniversary under various guises since 1872. Since that time, we have been the voice of hospitality here and have represented our members through some era defining moments which have changed the world. We’ve seen world wars, more than one pandemic, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Troubles, and importantly, the peace process.
For decades business owners and all those working in hospitality have shown how they have toughed it out and how resilient they have been in some dark times. From what I see on a day to day basis that strength is being shown again. That extraordinary response is there to see.
We know things aren’t good out there now, but we have seen through ongoing research that customers are loyal and people are still going out to enjoy themselves at a time they need it most. We must be live to the fact that evidence from tracking shows that the frequency of going out, dwell time and overall spend is changing but the support from locals and tourists alike is there.
It is also important to note that our members are not ignorant to the environment we are all operating in. The way they have adapted, their responsiveness and vigilance has been nothing short of commendable. Energy costs, vacancies, debt, and the ongoing struggle to just break even have been extremely testing as the cost of doing business is relentless in its impact. This must change to sustain such an important industry - socially, culturally and economically - just as it has been for the last 150 years here.
As we come to the end of the calendar year, we now have to start planning ahead to 2023. Things within our control must improve. We need to see the return of the Assembly and Executive to prioritise our sector as a key driver of the economy. We need a hospitality strategy and ministers to delivery practical support. We need to create an environment that promotes trade and restores business and consumer confidence.
Our pathway back to normality might be a long and arduous one, but as Mark Twain once said, ‘the secret of getting ahead is getting started’.
:: Colin Neill is chief executive of Hospitality Ulster
