Cancelled Christmas party? Here's a thought...

Sunday 15 November 2020

Hospitality bosses have come up with an idea to ensure restaurants and venues don't lose out as increasing numbers of businesses consider cancelling their traditional Christmas office parties.

With restrictions on numbers and the type of entertainment allowed likely to put a damper on festive celebrations this year, the Jersey Hospitality Association (JHA) is suggesting that local firms instead give their staff vouchers and take up other offers to support the hospitality sector.

The JHA says that offering meals in restaurants, nights in hotels, or outdoor adventures would not only help support hospitality and tourism businesses, but also reward staff after a difficult year.

“This has been a devastating year for trading in our sector, and while we have received financial support from the Government, we only had a fraction of the visitors we would normally rely on," JHA CEO Simon Soar said.

"We are conscious that it has also been a painful year for other sections of the economy, and this gives corporate businesses an opportunity to offer vouchers to their staff as a reward after a difficult year.”

Pictured: With many Christmas parties unlikely to go ahead, the vouchers will provide a way of stimulating the covid-hit hospitality industry.

Committee member Fiona Kerley added: “With many companies already working from home it’s unlikely they will be planning to organise a traditional Christmas party. But there are opportunities for businesses, especially those with large numbers of staff, to give something back to them as a reward for all their hard work while supporting hospitality businesses at the same time.

"That’s why we feel it’s right to suggest that instead of a Christmas function this year they give their teams a gift voucher instead.”