ABSTRACT
Tourism and hospitality represents one of the most valuable economic sectors in the world. The World Travel and Tourism Council (2015) indicate that in 2014, the total contribution to GDP was 9.8%, to employment 9.4%, to exports 5.7% and to investment 4.3%. Throughout a global recession and slowing economic growth, the sector has seen volatile change in individual industries, tourist behaviours and spending, yet has weathered storms considerably more robustly than others and is set to grow significantly to 2025 (World Travel and Tourism Council 2015). Tourists and travellers continue to place holidays as an important aspect of annual expenditure which bodes well for the sector. Between 2008 and 2014 international arrivals have increased by over 23% (Mintel 2014) and in the UK in 2014 £21.8 billion was generated from overseas visitors.
