Pineapple ripened or off-green. A plant growth regulator, Ethephon, is typically sprayed onto the fruit one week before harvest, developing ethylene, which turns the fruit golden yellow. After cleaning and slicing, a pineapple is typically canned in sugar syrup with added preservative. A pineapple never becomes any riper than it was when harvested. The fruit itself is quite perishable and if it is stored at room temperature, it should be used within two days; however, if it is refrigerated, the time span extends to 5–7 days. Mimi Sheller writes: "The pineapple entered European iconography as a symbol of welcome and hospitality,
Hospitality industry in the United Kingdom Hospitality industry in the United Kingdom The hospitality industry in the United Kingdom is largely represented by the country's hotels, pubs, restaurants and leisure companies, and produces around 4% of UK GDP. In a September 2015 report for the British Hospitality Association (BHA), the UK industry paid around £41bn in tax; around half of this is VAT. The tax paid in 2014 was around £7bn higher than that paid in 2010. Overseas visitor spending in the UK (not including international students) is reckoned to be around £22bn. The UK tourist industry is the 8th largest tourism destination in the world.