On Tuesday 15th July Downtown in Business hosted our final event of July, ‘The Future of Hospitality & the Visitor Economy’, hosted at the beautiful Pullman Hotel Liverpool.
This insightful afternoon brought together leading voices from hospitality, tourism, development, and city planning to explore how we shape the future of one of the UK’s most crucial industries. The discussion, chaired by Bill Addy, Chief Executive of Liverpool BID Company, focused on how cities like Liverpool can thrive not by competing with each other, but by collaborating to strengthen the sector as a whole.
We were privileged to hear from an outstanding panel of industry leaders, including Steven Hesketh FIH, CEO of The Hospitality Hero, Savvy Hotels, and Devafest; Matt Townley FIH MI, Group Operations Director at Dakota Hotels; and Faye Dyer, CEO of The ACC Liverpool Group. Their perspectives provided real clarity on both the current landscape and the road ahead for the visitor economy.
Among the key themes that emerged was the rise in late bookings, which has made staffing and operational planning more difficult for many businesses. The panel also stressed the importance of educating young people about the benefits and opportunities within hospitality, to help build a strong and sustainable workforce for the future.
Another important point was the need to think long-term about the impact of major events in the city. While large-scale events create buzz and footfall, there is growing awareness of the need to convert that excitement into lasting economic benefit for local businesses. The shift in consumer behaviour was also explored, with more people now choosing to save for premium, meaningful experiences rather than spending regularly on smaller outings.
The conversation closed with a reminder that success in hospitality doesn’t come from applying broad assumptions about the industry. Instead, businesses must focus on their individual challenges, be adaptable, and responsive to their specific needs and goals.
We extend our sincere thanks to The Hospitality Hero for sponsoring the event, and to Sarah Kelly and the fantastic team at the Pullman Liverpool for their flawless hospitality. Most importantly, thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the conversation, your insights and collaboration are what continue to drive this industry forward.
