16 June 2010

Travelodge quits BHA

Budget hotel chain Travelodge has resigned from the British Hospitality Association, saying it is better off lobbying on its own.

Guy Parsons, who takes over as Travelodge chief executive on July 1, said it was also inappropriate for the group to be part of the BHA when it might be snapping up other membersÃ¢â¬â¢ businesses.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœWe have an aggressive growth plan in place, which will more than double the size of Travelodge hotels over the next 10 years,Ã¢â¬~ he said.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœWe plan to do this by building new hotels and purchase existing struggling hotels and turning them into Travelodge properties.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœI think itÃ¢â¬â¢s entirely inappropriate that we should be part of the BHA at a time when we could be acquiring other membersÃ¢â¬â¢ businesses.Ã¢â¬~

He said Travelodge has a strong public relations team and was better off representing itself.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœThe BHA is a traditional body which represents the full hospitality sector from B&Bs to large corporate organisations.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœWe see an opportunity to transform the hotel industry in the UK, and believe that we can do this best by representing ourselves rather than lobbying via the BHA.

"The BHA has a role to play in representing the hospitality sector but we believe that our interests are now better served outside the organisation.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœWe are an industry that punches below our weight. Therefore we will continue to work with other leading businesses within the industry, to ensure that the Government truly understands the tax and regulation barriers our sector faces.Ã¢â¬~

A spokesman for the BHA said: "We're sorry they've taken the decision, but the BHA will continue to represent the interests of the hospitality industry."

By Bev Fearis