Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure.
Do you want to reduce uncertainty in your tourism, hospitality or leisure business?
Our specialist Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure team works with tourism operators, café owners, restauranteurs, clubs and accommodation providers. Use this page to find articles, advice and ideas to run a sustainable, fulfilling business.
How do I manage my cashflow when sales are impacted seasonally?
What do I need to consider when taking on seasonal team members?
How do I reduce my expenses without reducing my service levels?
Get the balance right
Being passionate about your tourism, hospitality or leisure business is essential — but passion alone won’t keep the doors open.
These businesses are labour-intensive, cost-heavy and margin-tight. Over recent years, wage costs have steadily crept up and, for many operators, now sit at around 40% of sales. Add ongoing increases in food, beverage, utilities and supplier costs, and it quickly becomes a recipe for trouble if the numbers aren’t actively managed.
When you take your eye off the numbers, the consequences are real: no profits, no cash buffer, and effectively you working for free.
That’s why understanding your margins, cost structures and break-even point isn’t optional — it’s critical.
Alongside this, the operational challenge remains the same: ensuring you spend enough time working on the business, not just in it.
Take steps to manage risk.
To give your business the best chance of success:
Have a clear 12-month plan across all key areas of the business and share it with your team.
Understand and regularly track your labour ratios, gross margins and cash flow.
Ensure all team members have the right training and support at the right time to set them up for success. The right training and support help teams work smarter — keeping staff numbers lean and wage costs manageable. This also keeps teams motivated and engaged.
Encourage team members to step up by delegating effectively and clearly communicating expectations.
Hold regular toolbox or mini-meetings to address daily challenges, opportunities and performance.
At Whitelaw Weber, we’re not just about tax — in reality, that’s only a small part of what we do.
We help you understand the numbers, manage tight margins, and put practical tools and systems in place so you can make informed decisions with confidence. Because when the numbers are right, the business works — and so does your lifestyle.
