The Institute of Hospitality Cymru is replacing a previous branch structure that was present in both south and north Wales, but that had become fragmented, explained IoH chief executive Philippe Rossiter.
Dana Evans, chairman of the Institute of Hospitality Cymru added: “As Wales now has its own government in the Welsh Assembly, we feel that it is the right time to create a single countrywide representation for the Institute of Hospitality, rather than be based on the previous two branch structure.
Regional events
“We believe that our new profile will help us contribute to meeting the challenges facing the hospitality and tourism industry in collaboration with other organisations in Wales.
“The new arrangements will provide an opportunity for greater networking and communication for Institute members in the Principality, and the new Committee will look forward to working with members to arrange regional events to encourage this."
The move follows a similar development in Scotland, where the Institute of Hospitality of Scotland was created in 2009, and its success has guided the establishment of the Welsh branch.
Pan-Wales focus
The Institute of Hospitality Cymru was voted in yesterday evening, immediately following the dissolution of the South Wales Branch. The North Wales Branch had already closed down several years ago, resulting in a fragmented representation of the IoH in Wales.
“The Institute will now have pan-Wales focus, whereas up until now it’s been fragmented,” Rossiter told BigHospitality. “We’re raising the profile of the Institute and its ability to be engaged by both the administration in Wales but also by other organisations, such as the region’s tourism body.”
IoH is currently refining the new structure and plans to formally launch of The Institute of Hospitality Cymru in the autumn.