Higher turnover hotels and restaurants in the fourth quarter

In the fourth quarter of 2004 the turnover of hotels and restaurants was 0.9 percent higher than in the same period of 2003, according to the latest figures by Statistics Netherlands. During the first three quarters of 2004 turnover had been 0.7 percent lower. Total turnover in 2004 was down by 0.3 percent on 2003. Prices in hotels and restaurants in the last quarter of 2004 were on average 1.2 percent higher than the year before. Turnover volume fell by 0.3 percent, making it the lowest drop in volume in the past 16 quarters. 

Fastest growing turnover in hotels

In the fourth quarter of 2004 turnover in hotels, including guesthouses and conference centres, increased by 2 percent on the year before. Despite this, total turnover in 2004 was down by 0.2 percent on 2003. Cafés increased their turnover in the fourth quarter by 0.5 percent on the year before. Prices rose by 1.6 percent during that period. On balance the turnover volume was 1.1 percent lower than in the fourth quarter of 2003. Turnover volume in 2004 was 2.3 percent lower than in 2003, making it the fourth year in a row that the turnover volume of cafés fell. Since 2000 the turnover volume of cafés has dropped by 15 percent. 

Higher turnover in restaurants, lower turnover in fast food

Restaurants also increased their turnover in the fourth quarter of 2004. The 1.6 percent increase, however, is entirely due to higher prices. Restaurants had just about the same turnover in 2004 as in 2003. Turnover volume fell by 1.4 percent.  In contrast to hotels and restaurants, fast food lost turnover in the fourth quarter van 2004: 1.4 percent on the fourth quarter of 2003. Total turnover in 2004 was 0.7 percent lower than in 2003. The loss in turnover was limited somewhat by the above average rise in prices. On balance the volume fell by 3.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2004 and by 2.8 percent for the year.

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