14 May 2013

Social responsibility

by Kate Cracknell

Why do health clubs – operations that pivot around the idea of doing people good – have to work so hard, and spend so much money, to engage customers? That was the question posed by Ray Algar, MD of Oxygen Consulting, who spotted a discrepancy between the way in which gyms perceive themselves – as socially-minded operations that help people live healthier, happier lives – and the way the public sees them: as contract-wielding enterprises that take your money and then leave you to fend for yourself, not caring if you attend or not. [more...]

30 Apr 2013

A united effort is needed to ensure government listens to what the hospitality industry needs

by Ufi Ibrahim

The UK hospitality and tourism industry comprises internationally renowned businesses and a fantastic variety of small enterprises. Together we contribute some 8% to the total GDP – that's around £115 billion per annum. [more...]

29 Apr 2013

The £150m school sport pledge

by John Goodbody

The government's announcement that £150m is to be allocated in each of the next two years towards improving coaching for youngsters in primary schools in the UK has generally been hailed with enthusiasm by national governing bodies of sport. [more...]

29 Apr 2013

Sport and peace

by Liz Terry

In the latest issue of Sports Management we examine the work of the peace and sport movement and look at examples of projects which are bringing unity to some of the most challenging places on earth (see page 42). [more...]

23 Apr 2013

Nimble thinking

by Liz Terry

Designing, funding, building and running facilities is an expensive undertaking, but because the majority of people's out-of-home leisure-time activity has traditionally taken place in and around some kind of facility, operators have always had to bear the costs associated with this infrastructure. [more...]

16 Apr 2013

2013 getting off to a busy start

by Ian Taylor

It has been an exceptionally busy time for us recently at SkillsActive. We have welcomed the marvellous news from the government that primary school sport and activities are to benefit from £150m investment over the next two years, which I hope will help to inspire the next generation to take up sport. [more...]

16 Apr 2013

2012 - a curate's egg

by Kurt Janson

The figures for UK domestic tourism in 2012 have been released by VisitEngland. They show that total number of visits for the year was down by 1 per cent to 126m while expenditure on domestic tourism was up £1.3bn to a record £24bn. Impressive figures, considering the impact of the weather, combined with the double-dip recession and the want of many people to sit in front of the TV during the Olympics. [more...]

16 Apr 2013

Visa reforms are crucial for continued growth

by Ufi Ibrahim

Theresa May announced that she'd be restructuring the UK Border Authority (UKBA) – this should be applauded. The need to reform the UK's visa procedures so that they are less expensive and more straightforward is absolutely critical to continued growth. [more...]

15 Apr 2013

People Power

by Eva McDiarmid

A recent survey of overseas visitors landing at US airports found that bureaucratic and inefficient entry procedures at customs was putting people off travelling there. Moreover, the survey found that 43 per cent of respondents said they would tell others to avoid a trip to the US because of the entry process and 44 per cent of business travellers said they would not visit in the next 5 years for the same reason. [more...]

10 Apr 2013

Strength in numbers

by Kate Cracknell

What might the gym of the future look like? Are we reaching a point where group exercise – far from being a mere complementary offering sitting alongside the gym in a full-service club – has actually become a strong proposition in its own right? And if so, what models might operators consider to ensure they tap into this? [more...]

19 Mar 2013

The leisure industry is ahead of the game in youth employment

by Ian Taylor

Youth employment is well served in the leisure and wellbeing sector, with approximately 30 per cent of our workforce aged 16 to 24 – against the national average of 13 per cent. As an industry we've a lot to offer young people. [more...]

19 Mar 2013

Tourism shows its value

by Kurt Janson

The Tourism Alliance held its Annual Parliamentary Reception two days before this year's budget on 20 March. While the timing of this is coincidental, there is a significant linkage between the two events. [more...]

19 Mar 2013

Passion to succeed

by Peter Ducker

On 11 March the Institute of Hospitality hosted its third annual Passion 4 Hospitality student debating competition. As eight universities competed, it was a privilege to witness the quick-witted energy, intelligence – and passion – on display. [more...]

12 Mar 2013

Some facts to consider

by Eva McDiarmid

The World Economic Forum (WEF) published its fifth Competitiveness Report ‘Reducing Barriers to Economic and Job Creation' last week. Published biennially, it ranks 140 countries according to their attractiveness and ability to develop their travel and tourism industries. For the fifth time, Switzerland leads the rest of the world. The UK jumped one place to number five overall (and from 11thin 2009). Europe maintains the top five rankings making it (for now) the leading region globally for competitiveness. [more...]

08 Mar 2013

Let's be clear

by Kate Cracknell

The fitness sector has, as yet, failed to cement a clear idea in people’s minds of how much and how often they should be exercising, and what sort of activity they should do. [more...]

05 Mar 2013

The Big Conversation

by Sam Coulstock

The Big Hospitality Conversation is a joint initiative between Springboard, The Prince of Wales’s Charity Business in the Community and the British Hospitality Association (BHA). It brings together influential industry leaders from the top hospitality businesses with young people to stimulate an important dialogue on employability skills, work experience and apprenticeships. [more...]