Part-time BTA post under attack
Senior hoteliers have condemned the part-time appointment of Sir Michael Lickiss as chairman of the British Tourist Authority.
Lickiss, a chartered accountant and former chairman of the South West England Regional Development Agency, will work two days a week for the BTA from 1 April. The date coincides with the relaunch of the body, which will merge the resources of the English Tourism Council and British Tourist Authority.
Lickiss's role will be to boost tourism within Britain, working with private and public sector partners in Scotland and Wales and throughout the regions of England. "I'm looking forward to leading the organisation as it implements the exciting marketing strategy that has already been developed to attract more visitors to Britain," he said.
Leading hoteliers, however, reacted angrily to the appointment, saying the Government hadn't listened to the needs of the industry.
Kit Chapman, owner of the Castle hotel in Taunton, Somerset, and Brazz restaurant group, recently joined a group of leading hoteliers in campaigning for a full-time chairman. He said the appointment was symptomatic of the Government's indifference to the tourism industry.
"Tourism is one of this country's leading industries and the Government has once again failed to understand what is required," he said. "The BTA's marketing budget is severely restricted so we need a figurehead who is highly visible around the world. You can't do that in two days a week."
Giles Shepard, deputy chairman of the Ritz hotel, warned: "There is more and more competition in Europe for our tourists and the job has to be done professionally. I certainly don't think it's possible to do it in just two days a week."
Martin Cummings, proprietor of the Amberley Castle hotel in West Sussex, said he was "saddened" by the decision: "We are in competition with the whole world, but by employing a part-time chairman we are sending out the wrong message. I don't know how Lickiss will be able to progress our industry further. It's a great shame that those in a position to decide couldn't be more adventurous."
Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 16-22 January 2003
