A time to talk, travel and look to new challenges

THE end of the year always sees a flourish of receptions and parties. It started with the London Tourist Board hosting a reception with Viscount Astor at the House of Commons, aimed at senior figures in the tourism industry.

This was followed by a lunch given by Redwood Publishing to examine ways of achieving a closer working relationship between English Heritage and a variety of companies.

Internal communication is essential in a company as large as Thistle and Mount Charlotte Hotels, which has more than 8,000 employees. It was with this in mind that I spoke about the group's new identity and future strategyat our second annual Housekeepers' Conference at the Donington Thistle, East Midlands Airport.

The conference showed the impressive high standards to which the housekeepers adhere and the necessity of communication within the housekeeping departments, which represent our largest number of employees.

Topics included staff and training, standards and sales, cost control and energy saving.

With the recent opening of our office in France and the launch of a value-added package, Business Plus, I went to Paris with our director of public relations to host a trade and consumer press lunch. It was jointly hosted by the British Tourist Authority in Paris and was an enormous success.

Then, it was off to Scotland for a dinner for destination management companies at Johnstounburn House, one of our country house hotels in Humbie, near Edinburgh. Our guests, from as far away as Aberdeen, braved terrible storms to be greeted by a dram of whisky, a blazing fire and traditional Scottish hospitality.

This has undoubtedly been an interesting year: we have seen an upturn in business confidence since spring, especially in London. But business in the provinces remains fragile, as reflected in recent press reports that retailers fear one of the worst Christmases in 30 years.

I am looking forward to further challenges in 1995. Once again I have not made any New Year resolutions - it's difficult enough having to stick to the sales and marketing plan! n