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The catering and hotel industry in Germany also recorded a massive drop in sales and profits in the first half of 2024. According to a survey by the German Hotel and Restaurant Association (DEHOGA Bundesverband), hoteliers and restaurateurs generated 10.9 per cent less turnover in the first half of the year than in the same period last year. Profits fell even more significantly. From January to June, the drop was 22.2 per cent compared to the first half of 2023. Even in June, nominal sales losses were 11.1 per cent. Even the European Football Championships did little to change the situation. It only provided positive impetus for 8.1 per cent of businesses.
"The current survey results illustrate the still very tense situation in the hospitality industry," says Dehoga President Guido Zöllick. The losses in turnover and profits were above average for restaurants, food-intensive catering establishments, clubs and discos.
Restaurateurs are also complaining about the increase in VAT from seven to 19 per cent for food. 66.1 per cent report a drop in revenue, 63.3 per cent have fewer guests, 62.4 per cent report falling sales and 41.7 per cent report lower average receipts. In addition to the increase in VAT on food (mentioned by 71.4 per cent of restaurateurs), the biggest problems for them include rising staff costs (79.6 per cent), falling profits (72.9 per cent), higher food and drink costs (72.0 per cent) and increasing bureaucracy (66.6 per cent).
Businesses cut back on investment (77.8%), adapted their product range (62.0%) and reduced their opening hours (40.5%) due to concerns about their livelihood. Due to the VAT increase, 5.7 per cent of the entrepreneurs surveyed feel compelled to close their business. According to the survey, 23.5 per cent are considering giving up.
"Despite our best efforts, it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to operate profitably," said Zöllick. "If nothing changes, thousands more businesses will face closure." Zöllick is therefore urgently calling for better economic policy conditions and a reduction in bureaucracy. "The uniform taxation of food at seven per cent is of fundamental importance for securing the future of public living rooms," Zöllick continued.
From 2 to 10 July, 2,730 hospitality businesses from all over Germany took part in the Dehoga survey on the economic situation.
(ru / Tageskarte.io)