Current Issues in Tourism and Hospitality Industry in UK

TLH 210 Current Issues in
Tourism and Hospitality

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Current Issues in Tourism and Hospitality Industry....................................................................3
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11
Books and Journals....................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
The hospitality and tourism industry have emerged as a key driver of economic growth
within the service sector of every economy across the globe. It is a very vast industry indulged in
several economic activities that meant to be contributing indirectly or directly towards the
economic growth of the nation. The various sector forming part of this industry includes
restaurants, hotels, resorts, catering, night clubs and bars, travel & transportation, spas &
wellness, events and tourism. This industry is important for all the economies across the globe
because it is found to have great contributing in immediately creating new jobs.
The tourism and hospitality industry of UK has become highly dynamic with reference to
the volume of investment and is largely represented by the restaurants, pubs, leisure companies,
hotels and resorts within the country (Marasco and et.al., 2018). The UK’s hospitality & tourism
industry is contributing approximately 4% in the GDP of the country.
In this essay, the evaluation of current issues concerning the tourism and hospitality
industry will be discussed with special reference to United Kingdom.
Current Issues in Tourism and Hospitality Industry
With the current technological advancement, the awareness pertaining to the trends and
currents affairs surrounding the places to be visit has increased in a great way. Also, the
technological inventions such as google maps and GPS have entirely changed the way people
choose to travel in the contemporary world. In addition to this, intensive use of social medias has
led to the development of several sites and startups which are indulged in providing readily
available information pertaining to travel & tourism to customers. Accordingly, there seems an
increased frequency of people going for booking their tickets online for sightseeing, flights and
hotels.
With the greater availability of information to the customers about travel & tourism, there
is higher consciousness among users regarding the environment. As a result, changes in
preferences with regards to the location of hotels are being experienced in modern times where
travelers prefer to stay in those locations that are eco-friendlier (Shehawy, 2022). In respect of

contributing positively for the betterment of the environment, travelers are looking for eco –
tourism, responsible tourism and sustainable tourism. It is because of greater consciousness &
awareness towards reduction in the carbon footprint across the globe. Environmental pressure is
continuously shaping the modern hospitality industry from last 10 years and the same is the key
focus of all the organization to invest in. By ensuring good environmental practices, tourism and
hospitality companies are indicating sustainable practices which in turn assisting them in
standing out of the competition.
The biggest challenge for the industry with regards to environmentally friendly practices
is that the consumers want to ensure that the business from whom they availing services are
following socially, culturally and environmentally sound practices. Additionally, consumers are
willing to pay more for products that are not affecting or harming the environment or wildlife. It
is a challenge for companies in hospitality & tourism industry because overhauling the entire
organization’s system & products to adopt sustainable measures is very expensive & not even
last for long. However, small steps towards the socially responsible practices found to be having
lasting impact over the environment & customers and in turn, raises the reputation of the
company.
The hospitality & tourism industry is frequently adapting to the trends in consumer
behavior which involves high demand for vegan restaurants and cut throat competition resulting
from it. This is because eateries and restaurants are now under great pressure to recruit the best
staff along with finding ways to keep & sustain valued customers.
Current issues can also be seen through the contemporary themes associated with the
tourism & hospitality industry which can be understood through deeper insight about needs,
demand and desires of the consumers (Ntounis and et.al., 2022). This involves increased need of
consumers with regards to healthy food, stay closure to the nature, higher demand for
adventurous activities and excitement and the reason for such changes in need, demand and
desires of travelers is influence of technological advancement over the consumer’s behavior
within the tourism and hospitality industry. It is quite challenging for the businesses in tourism &
hospitality industry where customers are demanding unique products & services and accordingly,
it is up to the stakeholders to take this as a challenge.