Business

The impact of globalisation on the hospitality industry in United Kingdom

The impact of globalisation on the hospitality industry in United Kingdom

Introduction

Globalization means increased interconnectedness, the expansion and deepening of various social, economic and political, the growing interdependence of all societies together, promoted by increased financial flows, financial and communications. Globalization has resulted in diminishing and at times completely eliminating the territorial boundaries and resulting in an interchange of political, social, and economic values at a global level. The economic and cultural globalization has played a key role in generating homogenization between cities/societies/countries.

This homogenization of region has resulted in a free flow of people, which has compelled auxiliary industries, such as hospitality industry to experience vast growth and expansion around the globe, particularly in United Kingdom. This paper will focus on the extent to which the process of globalisation has and will affect the growth of the hospitality industry in U.K.

Discussion

Globalization

The term, globalization has various meanings. According to one definition, it is a process of complex interrelations between, cultures, individuals, societies and institutions throughout the world. It is also explained by the increased mobility of goods, services, labour, technology, and capital. Globalization is never static; it has increased with the advent of new technologies and human innovations. These activities show how the economic globalization integrates and shapes the economies, cities and societies across the world. Therefore, the process of globalization has been integrating the geography of the global economy (Knowles et al., 2004, p. 170-232).

Globalization is a process in which the geographic distances are relatively reduced in the long-distance economics, and political and socio-cultural relationships. Every culture in a particular region is adapting and re-configuring its own attributes by accepting the positive qualities of other cultures and thus enhancing its own paradigm (Barrows et al., 2012, p. 350-520).

Cultural globalization and homogeneity of cities

The goal of globalization is to create cultural uniformity or homogeneity within regions around the globe and eliminate diversities. The new globalization culture is characterized by de-territorialisation and forming a world with no borders. It has increased the ways through which people from one region can actively participate in the cultural, economic and political activities of another region. The impact of globalization is enhanced by the increased mobility of individuals, specifically tourists (Knowles et al., 2004, p. 150-198).

The by-products of globalization; technology is playing an integral part in promoting the hospitality industry in United Kingdom. Cultural homogeneity is developing through the growth of extensive technology networks (like information technology, media technology communication technology). The inventions of cell phones, satellite television, and the internet have paved the way for interaction and communication between various cities. They are crossing local borders and inter connecting the world in a matter of seconds.

In globalization, people have the flexibility to work during travelling, from homes and not necessarily at fixed hours. The workers then remain in touch with their bosses through technology or transfer their work via the internet. This change has affected the character of ...