My second helping of LIFI25 was a panel discussion concerning the plight of the hospitality industry in a swiftly changing world. Obviously the word ‘hospitality’ includes a multitude of sectors and there were top representatives from a selection of them on the stage this lunchtime. The travel industry was represented by Joanna Reeve, the UK Director at Intrepid Travel, a global leader in responsible adventure travel. Fred Sirieix, French maître d’hôtel, author and media personality, best known for his role on First Dates, looked at the question from the perspective of a restaurateur. Zoe Hands has a foot in both of the above camps, being National Account Manager for the Marriott International hotel chain. Andrew Cooper, who we know as Chief Executive of LeedsBID, a not for profit organisation dedicated to transforming the city centre for the benefit of residents and visitors alike, gave us the inside track on creating footfall. In the chair was Peg Alexander, a broadcaster, journalist and podcaster who is a regular on Jeremy Vine on 5.
The make up of the audience was interesting in that, not only were there a number of people involved in various arms of the industry, but also a large student contingent eager to find out about the prospects insofar as joining the former group were concerned. This was particularly relevant to the initial contribution to the discussion from Fred Sirieix, who bemoaned the huge fall in the number of colleges offering courses in the subject in recent years. As an aside, he told us about the scheme which he operates in prisons throughout the UK, Right Course, teaching inmates the skills involved in the catering trade to give them a fighting chance of a fresh start on release. I trust that there will not be any who have been convicted of knife crime or poisoning!
M Sirieix was very amusing as well as a mine of information, as he should be, having spent his life in restaurants, both here and his native France. He was at pains to stress that the industry has to change to adapt with the times, rather than keep the same template from before the pandemic. The soaring cost of energy and food has meant that restaurants and their customers have suffered as both elements are essential to each party. Dining out needs to become more of an experience than simply a plate of food. He noted that this recession was particularly difficult as it is a ‘slow burner’ rather than a crash.
Zoe Hands reinforced this last point but said that there are still opportunities for a good career to be carved out in hospitality, no matter which branch. She said that jobs in hotels and restaurants should not be seen as a stop-gap but the beginning of a life’s work. She began in the kitchen of a hotel, an experience she hated, but she persevered and has now got a senior role in a world-wide organisation.
Both the above speakers did stress that it was essential to do the job to the best of your abilities and, even when you hate it, look as though you are enjoying yourself. It seems as though the quote from M Sirieix’s fellow countryman, Jean Giraudoux, applies just as much in hospitality as life in general, if not more so, ‘The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you’ve got it made.’
Joanna Reeve and Fred Sirieix
Joanna Reeve began by making the point that travel was the world’s largest method of distributing wealth. Travellers from the richer countries spending their money in poorer ones, were vital to the latter’s economies. She touched on the effect of travel on the environment and quality of life of people who live in tourist hot spots, this a problem which needs to be solved in a concerted manner, rather than piecemeal. The unintended consequences of a good idea such as Airbnb, whose original intention was to facilitate property owners letting out their premises whilst on holiday themselves, has turned into an unregulated method of running guest houses and hotels, thus properties are being purchased specifically for the scheme and pricing locals out of the market.
Ms Reeves was also upbeat about the career opportunities in the travel section of hospitality, and stressed that it was possible to visit many places in the world whilst getting paid for it.
The fourth panel member, Andrew Cooper, of whom I am a great admirer, as he, along with his brilliant team, gets things done rather than just talks about them, informed us of what part LeedsBID plays in the hospitality industry.
The main requirement of any industry, especially travel, restaurant and hotel businesses is, of course, customers. LeedsBID (Business Improvement District) is concerned with raising the profile of the city, making it a prime destination for visitors, as well as luring locals to the centre. Because of working from home, this has proved more of a challenge, but one they have embraced wholeheartedly. Their work comprises making Leeds a more pleasant environment by tackling crime, regularly pressure washing the streets and sprucing the place up in general, whilst also organising spectacularly successful events.
In 2024, the city centre was converted into a huge Monopoly board, a game manufactured by Waddingtons in Stourton, which attracted over half a million people during its five-week period. This year’s offering, Wonderland Awaits, seems to be on track to match it. There is also the illumination of the Queen’s Hotel over the Christmas period and, of course, the just about sold out Leeds International Festival of Ideas.
Mr Cooper stressed that the biggest challenge facing any business was uncertainty, as this prevents the ability to plan for the future.
Peg Alexander, Andrew Cooper and Zoe Hands
The Q&A section was spit into two parts, the first half way through and the second at the end. Because of the demographic of the audience, the questions were, for once, actual questions and not ramblings. They were also relevant and intelligent. Obviously I kept quiet.
Those from the students were mainly about getting a foot in the door and the consensus was that the best plan was to do as much networking as possible to get yourself known. This should be started as soon as possible and definitely before graduation so that you can hit the ground running.
A question from one of the lecturers introduced a term with which I was not familiar, but now I am, I am proud to be a TWAT! Press nights at theatres are usually midweek and the starting times mean that I need to get something to eat before the performances so, unlike a lot of other people nowadays I part with my dosh on Tuesdays, Wednesdays And Thursdays. A real TWAT if ever there was one.
An elderly TWAT trying to look intelligent!
The only criticism I have of the event was that I found the chairperson, Peg Alexander, to be a little too intrusive, at times monopolising the conversation rather than involving the panelists, whose input was far more relevant.
So, another great event in LIFI25 and I am sorry not to have been able to attend more, hopefully next year!
To find out more about the guests and their organisations please go to
https://www.leedsbid.co.uk/about-us/
https://www.marriott.com/en-gb/marriott/aboutmarriott.mi
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/uk
https://www.pegalexander.com/about
Photographs by Chapter81
Tyke It To The Limit 