Over 30 per cent of employees working in business events, accommodation and meetings agencies are at risk of redundancy from this month (July 2020) according to a report published by the HBAA (Hotel Booking Agents Association).
The Association, which is demanding additional financial support, said that a lack of a clear independent identity has left the industry fighting for its life after being ignored and unappreciated by government.
Lex Butler, Chair of the HBAA said: “It’s been clear since March that the business events, accommodation and meetings sector would be decimated by the consequences of lockdown and would be one of last to re-open, potentially not fully until Q2 2021. It was also clear that special ongoing financial government support was essential and needed immediately”
“The news we desperately need is a start date for meetings and events. Although hotels have re-opened they are unable to host meetings and many conference centres and event venues remain closed. Many restaurants also rely on corporate groups, so the hospitality industry is only really half open and barely able to operate profitably due to the lack of business from the events, and meetings sector.”
HBAA and other industry associations working with Business Visits and Events Partnership (BVEP) have lobbied government energetically throughout this period and have supported their members in asking for this support – a task made more difficult by the fact that the government doesn’t recognize the sector as an entity in its records, only as part of hospitality and tourism.
HBAA’s " Business Events, Accommodation and Meetings - the need for special financial support and a clear identity" report was published to coincide with a debate in the House of Commons.
The report highlights a HBAA survey which found that 81 per cent of the 102 companies who responded anticipated making redundancies, and that 30.6 per cent of the workforce are likely to be made redundant in the next three months.
The report also highlights research by DCMS and You Gov (DCMS Business Survey’ published 10 June) which showed that 77.6 per cent of 357 events and exhibition companies surveyed in May had no revenue after March and 61.0 per cent had furloughed at least 75 per cent of staff.
HBAA is the trade association for the agency, apartment and venue community, with more than 300-member organisations including over 95 agency and 225 venue members.