Hospitality businesses given advicefor meeting challenges facing sector

A good representation of local businesses recently attended a seminar at Willowbank Business Park.
Colin Neill (left), chief executive, Hospitality Ulster, Alderman Maureen Morrow and David Gillespie, general manager, LEDCOM.Colin Neill (left), chief executive, Hospitality Ulster, Alderman Maureen Morrow and David Gillespie, general manager, LEDCOM.
Colin Neill (left), chief executive, Hospitality Ulster, Alderman Maureen Morrow and David Gillespie, general manager, LEDCOM.

The theme of the seminar was addressing the challenges for businesses in the hospitality sector.

Delegates heard Colin Neill, chief executive of Hospitality Ulster, speak about the challenges facing the hospitality sector in Northern Ireland.

In particular, Colin highlighted how businesses can meet the challenges positively and effectively by focusing on customer service

He said that challenges include increased competition, skills shortages, customer expectations, the rise of digital marketing and the burden of legislation compliance.

Mr. Neill joined Hospitality Ulster (the industry body of Northern Ireland’s hospitality and tourism industry) as chief executive in August 2008, representing an industry that sustains 60,000 jobs.

Alderman Maureen Morrow, Chair of Larne Development Forum, said: “Businesses in the hospitality sector face many challenges to remain profitable in an ever more competitive environment.”