Gastronomy with worries about the future: higher costs feared
The tourism and catering industry in Brandenburg, which is plagued by staff shortages, is facing the coming months with uncertainty. Prices for overnight stays and meals are likely to become more expensive for holidaymakers and restaurant visitors.
In the 2023/2024 winter season, around a third of tourism companies expect turnover to fall, according to an autumn survey published by the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) on Thursday. Even if the tourism industry is worried about the future, the current business situation is still solid compared to spring after a good summer season.
Looking ahead to the next twelve months, however, every second hospitality business is expecting business to deteriorate. The outlook for accommodation-only businesses is not quite as gloomy: 33% of respondents stated that they expect business to deteriorate. This is the result of the joint seasonal survey conducted by the Cottbus, East Brandenburg and Potsdam Chambers of Industry and Commerce.
According to the survey, the tourism industry as a whole - i.e. gastronomy, accommodation, water tourism, leisure facilities and the event industry - sees the greatest risks in the future in energy and purchase prices. A shortage of labor and an expected return to full VAT also put a strain on the industry. Almost half of the companies surveyed stated that they are currently unable to fill vacancies.
32% of the companies surveyed expect turnover to fall in the future, ten percent more than in the spring survey conducted by the Chambers of Industry and Commerce. Significantly more than 50 percent of companies in the hospitality industry expect costs for overnight stays and food and drink to rise.
According to the IHK, 608 companies were included in the survey, which ran from September 11 to October 5.
The economic situation in the hospitality industry, particularly tourism, is causing concern due to anticipated higher costs. With staff shortages and anticipated price hikes for energy, purchases, and potentially VAT, many businesses in this sector anticipate a decrease in turnover.
Source: www.dpa.com
