European Union
The European Union remains a crucial region for UK-based hotel groups, investors, and operators monitoring cross-border trends and regulatory developments. Our coverage focuses on hotel openings, refurbishments, brand expansions, and M&A activity across EU member states. We also report on changes in travel policy, ESG standards, labour movement, and VAT rules that affect UK operators with European interests. This section offers insight into how EU-wide developments shape strategy and opportunity in the hotel sector.
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Oct- 2023 -16 OctoberFeatures
The hidden costs of the visa fee increase for the UK’s hospitality industry
In July 2023, the government announced a visa fee increase across both work and travel visas. These came into effect at the beginning of October, which included a 15% increase to most work and visitor fees, a 35% increase to the student visa fee for people applying from overseas, and…
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Jan- 2023 -31 JanuaryAdvice
The need for transparency for all stakeholders
In the past decade, consumer consciousness and worldwide concern have increased in tandem with the growing severity of the climate crisis. Sustainability is seen as crucial to the success of businesses across industries, but there is scepticism about who is telling the truth and being ethical, accountable and transparent. The…
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Nov- 2022 -28 NovemberTrade Organisations
Irish hoteliers ‘broadly welcome’ energy support, says IHF
As the sector calls on the government to reconsider its decision on 9% VAT rate, hoteliers across Ireland have “broadly” welcomed the energy support announced in the recent budget, according to the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF). However, it is reported that hotels and guesthouses are still seeking an amendment to…
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Apr- 2021 -26 AprilCoronavirus
Inside the hospitality industry’s staff crisis
As the hospitality industry begins to reopen after a series of strict and financially damaging national lockdowns, business owners are beginning to pick up the pieces after a long year. Married with Britain’s exit from the European Union in January last year, hospitality leaders are beginning to speak up about…
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26 AprilFeatures
Interstate Hotels: Recovery and beyond
As a manager of hotels first and foremost, Interstate earns its fees from hotel revenues and hotel profits. In light of the pandemic, Nicholas Northam says that occupancy has been at “catastrophic levels, levels that we never even believed possible.” Levels remain catastrophic amongst some of the global hotel group’s…
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Jan- 2021 -27 JanuaryOpinion
Brexit, Employment & Hospitality
Since the results of the 2016 referendum were finalised and our departure from the European Union was set in motion the hospitality sector has experienced considerable difficulties recruiting and retaining staff. The UK’s hospitality sector employs in excess of 3 million people, and of those it is estimated that around…
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Feb- 2020 -25 FebruaryBusiness Bites
Chlorinated chicken ain’t the way
The European Union will insist that the UK retains the current ban on chlorinated chicken as part of any free trade agreement that might be struck by the end of this year. It taps into one of the most symbolic arguments made during the last three years by those who…
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11 FebruaryBusiness Bites
Yes, the trade barriers are coming
I think both Leavers and Remainers probably expected this in the long run – Michael Gove announced yesterday that businesses should “accept” that frictionless trade with the EU will be impossible whatever agreement is finally reached by the deadline of 31 December this year. This is the cost, he says, of making…
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Jan- 2020 -29 JanuaryBusiness Bites
British Airways gets flighty and Starbucks smells the coffee over coronavirus
The business response to the coronavirus situation, which appears to be developing into a serious crisis, continues apace today. British Airways today announced that it was suspending all flights between the UK and Wuhan, the Chinese city where the virus originally broke out. In a statement it said: “We have…
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21 JanuaryBusiness Bites
Global CEOs and the IMF reckon the UK is about to have a good year
It’s not often there is some incontrovertibly positive news about the economy, but today we’ve had some. Audit and business advisory firm PwC has polled 1,600 chief executives, and found that they think the UK is the fourth most important target in the world for companies looking to make investments.…
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