75% of hospitality sector jobs could go by Christmas, Galgorm warns

By Q Radio News

One of Northern Ireland's largest hospitality groups has warned 75% percent of jobs in the sector could be gone by Christmas. 

The Galgorm Collection is calling on the Stormont Executive to take urgent action to find a "safe and sustainable" way to protect 50,000 industry jobs are protected from the impact of any new covid-19 restrictions. 

It comes ahead of an executive meeting later where ministers are expected to discuss further measures for Northern Ireland to mitigate the spread of Covid-19. 

Managing Director of the Galgorm group, Colin Johnston says the stark reality is that if the region enters another lockdown without proper measures to sustain the industry thousands of jobs will be lost.  

“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 Johnston said.

"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.”

More than 750 team members are employed at Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort, with 900 employed across the Galgorm Collection range of hospitality businesses. 

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.”

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.

In recent years, Northern Ireland has cemented its status on the world stage as a must-visit destination with its rich tourism, culture and heritage offering supplemented by major international events including The Open Championship in July last year.

Mr Johnston added, he is now calling for greater clarity from the Executive in relation to its plans, strategy and expected outcomes from its interventions and is stressing 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.

Colin said, “We requested to meet with the Minister of Health, Robin Swann, and his advisors, on 18th August 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.”