Economic aspects of hotel and catering industry changes

Abstract

Changes in the hotel and catering industry are analysed within the context of technical change and economic growth in the economy. The implications of economic growth for the industry depend on the causes of economic growth and the disposition of increased output through the changing pattern of demand. Increasing relative demands on the service sector will lead to increasingly capital-intensive and standardised production away from the point of service. The greater flow of market goods relative to household time resources causes adjustments in household activities, with more market-oriented consumption. In the restaurant sector, less on-site more off-site large-scale production will necessitate a new approach to the organisation of labour. There will be a continuing upgrading of consumer demands. The development of pub catering is seen as just one aspect of this. The hotel sector will face increasing competition from self-catering accommodation facilities, and customers will rely less on the catering facilities provided.