Institute of Hospitality Showcases Student Research in New Digest

The Institute of Hospitality has published its inaugural Annual Digest of research by students from universities and colleges that are members of its Education Membership Scheme.

The subjects explored in the research papers include sophisticated menu engineering; the impact of the airbnb on the UK hotel industry; revenue management in ski resorts; and waffleshop franchises.

Alistair Sandall FIH, the Institute’s head of professional development, says: “We thank the students for their submissions to this inaugural Annual Digest. Thanks too must be passed to their lecturers for encouraging them to submit their research. ”

“If through this publication we can bring new insights and ideas into the bright lights and away from university shelves,  hopefully we can help to create closer links and ties between educators and practitioners.”

The following students’ research is showcased in the Digest;

Rosie Magurie, BA Professional Culinary Arts, University of Derby

Haroon Khan Afridi, MSc International Hotel Management, University of Surrey

Mara Leidi, BSc International Hospitality Management, Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne

Ida Davidsen, UG studies BSc (Hons) Hospitality Leadership and Management, Leeds Beckett University.

The Institute has 75 universities and colleges on its Education Membership Scheme, adding up to more than 3,000 student members across the world.

Download the 2017 Digest Here

Submissions for the 2018 Digest will be open from September with a deadline of 31st October. Full information can be found by downloading the Institute of Hospitality Digest Submission Guidelines.

If you have any queries, please email digest@instituteofhospitality.org

If you would like your college or university to get involved but are not yet members of the Institute, contact the Membership Department on 020 8661 4900 or membership@instituteofhospitality.org

 

 

 

Understanding the impact of Brexit on housekeeping teams. Take part in important research by People 1st

There is still significant uncertainty about the extent to which employers will be able to recruit skilled and unskilled labour from the EU, when the UK leaves in 2019.

Businesses need time to prepare, particularly in those areas that currently rely on a high proportion of other EU workers. Anecdotally, hotel and accommodation providers are increasingly concerned about the possible impact of Brexit on housekeeping teams, given the high proportion of EU nationals currently employed in this area. A challenge facing the sector is that official figures suggests that migrant workers make up only 28% of the housekeeping workforce, which could downplay the potential impact on the sector.

We believe that the official figures significantly underestimate the number of migrant workers employed in housekeeping roles and are urgently undertaking research with hotel and accommodation providers to identify:

• The extent to which their housekeeping teams employ migrant workers and are therefore susceptible to any restrictions imposed on recruiting EU workers post-Brexit
• The extent to which recruitment and retention of housekeeping teams has been affected since the referendum
• Possible ways in which employers are considering recruiting and retaining housekeeping teams post-Brexit.

The results will be shared with employers and industry organisations, as well as with government to help inform understanding about the needs of the hospitality sector in the run-up to the UK leaving the EU.

The research is being conducted by People 1st in January 2018 for release in early February. If you want to participate and share your views please contact Martin-Christian Kent on 07770733393 or martin-christian.kent@people1st.co.uk

 

Understanding the ‘New Consumerism’

The pending EU Referendum is causing uncertainty for businesses and consumers as they await the outcome of the UK’s EU Referendum on 23rd June 2016 which will determine whether the UK leaves or remains in the EU.

Do you understand your customers? Euromonitor explains the New Consumerism.

No matter what happens in the Referendum, hospitality managers need to understand the shifting consumer landscape. A recent report from Euromonitor International analysed global consumer trends and reports on the New Consumerism. According to Euromonitor, there has been a shift in consumers’ priorities. The report identifies eight priorities in the New Consumerism including the sharing economy, sustainability and the importance of experiences.

Consumers of all ages appear to be taking their cues from Millennials and reassessing what really matters in their lives. These lifestyle choices mean changes in consumer spending habits that will have a significant impact across industries. Two of the most obvious industries to be affected are the hospitality and travel sectors where the sharing economy has disrupted old ways of doing business through the likes of AirBnB, Uber, and OneFineStay. However, shakeouts are common for hospitality businesses and start-ups. Despite their apparent popularity, a number of food service businesses built on sharing economy principles have folded recently – some due to a lack of adequate investment – including Spoonrocket, Dinner Lab, Kitchensurfing, and Kitchit.

If you want to better understand your business’s customers and ensure your offer is what today’s customers are seeking, then read about the New Consumerism. It can provide some insights into how your hospitality business – as a part of the experience economy – can meet New Consumers’ needs for ‘doing, seeing and feeling over having more “stuff” ‘.