Because of Corona, the hospitality industry in the southwest recorded billions in losses. The industry is recovering – but uncertainties remain. At a meeting there is a prominent guest.
Rust (dpa / lsw) – In view of the high energy prices, restaurateurs and hoteliers in the south-west are demanding rapid relief from the state. This became clear before a conference of the Dehoga industry association, which begins today (2:00 p.m.) in Rust (Ortenaukreis). Baden-Württemberg’s Interior Minister Thomas Strobl (CDU) is expected at the conference in Europa-Park, as the association announced.
A recently published nationwide member survey, in which 630 companies from the south-west took part, showed that increasing costs and fears of inflation before the start of winter are depressing the mood.
According to Dehoga President Guido Zöllick, the planned energy and electricity price brake must quickly have an impact on consumers and companies. The booking and reservation situation until the end of the year was mixed, it was said.
The gas price brake for private households and small and medium-sized companies should take effect by March at the latest – but the federal government is examining retrospective effect from February. Basic consumption subsidized by the state is planned, as is the electricity price brake. This should apply from January.
Another issue for innkeepers is VAT on food. This was reduced from 19 to 7 percent during the corona pandemic – originally limited to the end of 2022.
In view of the energy crisis, the reduction was extended until the end of 2023. The industry is now calling for the tax rate to be left at a low level permanently – i.e. beyond the coming year – in order to relieve companies.
The German Hotel and Restaurant Association (Dehoga) represents the interests of restaurateurs and hoteliers. According to the association, more than 12,000 entrepreneurs are organized in the southwest.