Cloudy mood in tourism: Lower Saxony fights with high costs!

Cloudy mood in tourism: Lower Saxony fights with high costs!

Niedersachsen, Deutschland - The mood in the hospitality industry and the tourism industry in Lower Saxony is clouded. This is shown by the spring survey of the Lower Saxony Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHKN) under around 450 companies. First positive signs of the good weather over the Easter holidays could not brighten the dark perspective of the industry. The challenges are diverse and complex.

According to the survey, increasing labor costs and high energy and raw material prices are the main factors that burden the hospitality industry. Monika Scherf, general manager of the IHKN, emphasizes that no broad optimism is recognizable. The climate index in the hospitality industry rose minimally from 87.5 points in autumn to 90.6 points in the spring. In the previous year, this value was 90.2 points, which indicates a slight improvement, but is still far from a stable location.

industry -specific risks

A quarter of the companies surveyed rates the current situation as good, about half as satisfactory, while around 28 percent assess the situation as poor. It is worrying that only 18 percent of the companies promise a cheaper business situation, which is a slight increase compared to autumn (8 percent). Around a third even expects a deterioration, while almost half of it comes from a constant location.

The greatest business risk identify 85 percent of those surveyed in labor costs, which represents an all -time high. The costs for energy, raw materials and foods are also a significant risk for 76 percent of the companies, followed by economic political framework (60 percent) and lack of personnel (51 percent). In the industry, it is expected that 44 percent of entrepreneurs have to raise their prices, while more than half of the prices remain.

political measures and outlook

Despite the tense location, there are signs of a certain confidence. Announced measures by the federal government, such as reducing sales tax on food in restaurants from 2026, could give the industry a little hope. Scherf also appeals to the federal government to reduce bureaucracy and to put more confidence in the companies.

The survey took place between the beginning of April and early May and included companies from the hotel industry, catering, camping industry as well as travel agencies and tour operators. The challenges that the industry is facing are also reflected in overarching trends on the job market. According to Destatis , the labor costs in Germany continue to increase, as for both employers and employees. The uncertainties could affect the entire industry as long as no stable solutions are found.