As 2019 draws to a close, Jersey Hospitality Association CEO Simon Soar reflects on the year’s highs and lows and looks ahead to what challenges await in 2020.
‘When I look back at where the JHA was two years ago – even 12 months ago – to where we are now, we’ve come a long way.
‘On the whole, it’s been a good year for the organisation. We’ve had some positive results and good growth. Our membership has grown, we’re financially stable and we have a new chairperson in place. As for our work, we’ve continued to represent our members and fight on behalf of their interests, working with politicians and the public to better improve understanding of hospitality in Jersey.
‘At the end of the day, we want to make sure that policy makers have a fairer appreciation of hospitality’s value and what it brings to the island. It’s an ongoing battle and, if I’m honest, we’ve not necessarily done that this year.
‘It’s a shame that we’ve ended 2019 facing a rise on impôt duties for alcohol. That’s a big blow for us, especially as we’d expected, and hoped, for a bit more collaboration with the government on the issue.
‘That said, I do believe we’ve built better relationships with the government and civil servants. It’s not perfect but there has been a real disconnect between them and the hospitality industry for a long time and we have made massive progress in that area. But there is still a long way to go.
‘In 2020, as well as addressing the continued staffing shortage, we will be aiming to try and resolve the accommodation issues facing hospitality staff. Wages have gone up, they’re at a really good level, but staff aren’t feeling the benefit because landlords are hiking up rents. We also want the public to fall back in love with Jersey again, rediscover and appreciate what the hospitality industry has to offer, and there are some initiatives launching next year that will hopefully help us achieve that.
‘It’s been a year of ups and downs but there is cause for optimism, and we’re going to keep fighting the good fight in 2020.’
