Chancellor Rishi Sunak, a British politician, launched an effort to help the food industry in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic called Eat Out to Help Out. Restaurants, pubs and cafes were offered 50% discounts on their meals, and efforts saw millions of people dining out. The Hospitality Professionals Association (HOSPA) has worked to launch a similar effort to help hotels across the UK.
The newest COVID-19 measures in the UK limits patrons to groups of six during public outings, and pubs close around 10 PM. This has added strain to the food and hospitality industry when businesses had begun to recover from the previous hits.
Therefore, HOSPA has started the #SleepOvertoTurnover scheme in an effort to rebuild the industry. The campaign encourages hotels to entice potential guests with discounts and extras, such as additional nights, free WiFi upgrades, complimentary parking and half-price cocktails.
By showing their support for the industry, patrons play a vital role in rebuilding the industry and boosting the economy.
“We want to make people aware that, by enjoying a hotel stay and eating in the restaurant, guests will be providing a huge boost to hotels and the UK economy,” Jane Pendlebury, CEO of HOSPA, said. “Given more and more of us are working from home, a change in environment (as well as the opportunity to use up remaining holiday!) is ever more important.”
“In recent weeks we’ve seen extremely encouraging signs of recovery across the industry,” Samantha Williams UK Market Owner at ProfitRoom, which focuses on enhancing hotel revenues, added. “Especially in coastal resorts and popular tourist destinations such as the Lake District. This has been boosted further by the #EatOutToHelpOut scheme.”
Currently, the Royal Lancaster London is providing a free suite upgrade to any person who books a deluxe room between Thursday and Sunday through November 30.
The Billesley Manor Hotel and Spa in Warwickshire has also chosen to participate in the scheme, offering patrons half-priced cocktails when they reference #SleepOverToHelpTurnover.
