Coronavirus: Boss of top NI hotel calls for urgent action to protect 50,000 jobs in hospitality sector

The managing director of one of Northern Ireland’s largest hospitality groups is calling on the Executive to urgently find a “safe and sustainable” way to protect the sector from the devastating impact of any new lockdown restrictions.
The Galgorm resortThe Galgorm resort
The Galgorm resort

The Executive will meet later today to review the recent rise in Covid-19 cases in Northern Ireland and is expected to discuss measures to mitigate its spread.

Colin Johnston, who runs the Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort, is warning the Executive that unless a balanced way forward is found to protect health, jobs and livelihoods, 75% of jobs within the sector could go by Christmas - up to 50,000 posts.

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He said: “The industry reopened at the start of July and has been trading safely and sustainably during this time. If this cannot continue, our people must be in a position to be able to provide for their families. In the face of the very serious issues being discussed, support must be found to ensure that the entire hospitality sector and all its potential is not lost for at least an entire generation.

Colin JohnstonColin Johnston
Colin Johnston

“The stark reality is that if we enter another period of lockdown without any measures in place to safely sustain the industry, and a vital component of our economy, up to three quarters of hospitality jobs will be lost by Christmas.”

Colin Johnston said, “As a resort that places the health and safety of our guests and team members as our absolute priority, we understand that everyone’s health is vitally important however we must urgently find a way forward to protect jobs and livelihoods and the very future of tourism and hospitality industry in Northern Ireland.”

Mr Johnston said the Northern Ireland tourism industry accounts for more than 65,000 jobs and was on track this year to deliver a record £1 billion in visitor spend.

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He is now calling for greater clarity from the Executive in relation to its plans, strategy and expected outcomes from its interventions and stressed the need for much greater contact and collaboration with the tourism and hospitality sector so that decision makers can clearly understand the impacts of the measures being taken.

“We requested to meet with the Minister of Health, Robin Swann, and his advisors, on August 18 to open a meaningful dialogue and to create a forum where information and views could be routinely shared. Unfortunately, this was never reciprocated. We must have a collaborative approach to find the best way forward for the sake of our economy, our people and everyone’s health and wellbeing.”

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