News Archive
Scarborough Hotel & Tourism Bosses Confident Despite Recession Fears
12th Jan 2009
Scarborough hotel and tourism bosses have defended standards of service in the town following claims that jobs could be lost nationally because of poor service.
Christopher Rodrigues, chairman of Visit Britain, said 50,000 jobs could be lost this year and poor service would be responsible for some of them.
He said that while establishments had previously been able to “get away” with low-quality service, the time has now come to attract as many tourists as possible.
However, hotel chiefs praised the quality of service in Scarborough and argued the gloomy prediction did not apply to the town.
Ed Blakely, a spokesman for Scarborough Hospitality Association and owner of the Atlanta Hotel in Columbus Ravine, said: “Within any industry I’m sure there are some places which don’t meet people’s expectations, but I know people coming to Scarborough can expect an extremely high standard of service.
All our premises that advertise within the council spectrum meet the minimum requirements at least of the English Tourism Council and AA’s inspection scheme and most are well above that.”
“Scarborough is certainly pioneering and at the forefront of excellent service.”
When asked about the prospect of potential job losses due to poor service, he added: “In the Scarborough area I wouldn’t think that would happen. Most places are looking to make sure everything is tip-top.”
Cllr David Jeffels, cabinet member with responsibility for tourism for Scarborough Council, said: “The town prides itself on offering quality service. Many of the people employed in the hotel and catering industry have been on ‘welcoming’ courses run by the county tourist board.
“One of our advertising slogans is that we give a warm Yorkshire welcome to all our holidaymakers. I would strongly disagree with Mr Rodrigues so far as the Yorkshire coast resorts are concerned because we realise that giving good and friendly service is important.”
He added: “This year probably gives Scarborough one of the best opportunities to capitalise on the domestic holiday market.
“There’s a general feeling in the tourist industry nationwide that more people will be spending their holidays in this country. I think if we do get some good weather this summer we could buck the trend from an economic point of view.
