travel &
tourism
Travel and tourism fight back Travel and tourism are worth billions of pounds each year to the London economy. Millions of people travel to the capital from other parts of the UK and abroad, generating a significant proportion of an estimated £237.6 billion-a-year UK travel and tourism sector. London is also a globally recognised gateway to the world, with Heathrow and Gatwick strategically important hubs for international trade. The COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the country into multiple lockdowns, inevitably had a dramatic effect on travel and tourism. According to data analyst Statista, this sector’s contribution to UK gross domestic product (GDP) plummeted to £89.6 billion last year, as hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions shut their doors and travel to and from the UK fell off a cliff. Now, though, the picture is brighter. COVID restrictions have been eased, tourism firms are open for business again and individuals and business professionals are beginning to travel again. The question is whether or not travel and tourism will return to pre-pandemic levels
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again. Right now, it’s too early to say, but there’s a sense that optimism and confidence are gradually returning.
We’ve also automated routine tasks to minimise time spent on administration and help us work more efficiently with more time for our guests.
Hilton Garden Inn (HGI) Heathrow hotel, who is a supportive Chamber member and is based at Heathrow Airport, spent the initial phases of lockdown putting in place safety and cleanliness measures to ensure people were safe. Now, as the country moves into the COVID recovery phase, the management team has taken the opportunity to look at the business and plan for the future. Richard Lee, general manager of Hilton Garden Inn Heathrow, says: “We’ve invested a lot in technology and enhancing our digital experience at every stage of the guest journey.
Richard Lee
