Two new reports from the British Hospitality Association (BHA) have highlighted the economic importance and potential of the hospitality sector in the UK.
One of the studies - produced by Oxford Economics - found that the industry is currently the UK's fifth largest employer and generates an estimated £34bn in gross tax revenue.
More than 2.4 million people are directly employed within the sector, in addition to 1.2 million indirectly, according to the report. The core hospitality economy is believed to have a turnover of £90bn.
Oxford Economics has forecast that the hospitality economy is set to employ 2.66 million direct workers by 2015 under a trend scenario - a net increase of 236,000 jobs.
Meanwhile, a second, internal study has reinforced the sector's bid and potential to create a further 236,000 jobs in the next four years, although raised concerns over the threat of global competition.