Youngsters see hospitality in new light

The long-held belief in the hospitality industry that it is viewed by the outside world as an industry of low pay, long hours and poor prospects is out of date, according to new research.

A study by recruitment agency Portfolio International has found many schoolchildren and their parents are much more positive about the industry than previously thought.

The survey, conducted across 32 schools, also quashes some myths about what young people want from a career in the hospitality industry.

Of the 156 pupils surveyed, 103 were not concerned about working long hours and 87 were wary of the superficial and glamorous side of the industry, rather than being attracted to it. "It's much more positive than we expected," said Portfolio director Chris Sheppardson.

He said parents were positive about their children pursuing a career in hospitality, but wanted more information about the industry.

"Parents are saying ‘We're open-minded but you don't provide any facts for us to make our judgements on'," Mr Sheppardson said.

He said he believed industry representatives were too negative when talking hospitality. "People are slightly on the defensive about long hours and low pay and all that does is confirm the myth to people."

The research was carried out as part of Let's Make it First Choice, a campaign launched in August by Portfolio to attract school leavers into the industry.