Turnover accommodation and food services sector declines further in Q1 2021

Again sharp turnover drop for hotels and cafés

In Q1 2020, the accommodation services sector, including hotels and holiday homes, recorded 3.6 percent turnover loss relative to the previous quarter. The development of turnover varies considerably among the accommodation services. Hotels recorded 27 percent lower turnover than in the previous quarter. Hotel turnover was also sharply down in that quarter, by more than 50 percent. On the other hand, other accommodation providers, including holiday homes and camp sites, booked more turnover in Q1 2021, namely 21.7 percent. Many people have likely booked a short holiday in a cottage.

The food and beverage service sector, including restaurants, cafés and fast food restaurants, achieved 4 percent less turnover in Q1 than in the previous quarter. Here, too, the differences are large. Café turnover declined the most at 25.5 percent. In the previous quarter, it already fell by more than 70 percent. Restaurants recorded 8.3 percent less turnover in Q1 than in the previous quarter, following the 56.7 percent turnover contraction in Q4 2020. However, the turnover of fast food restaurants increased by 3.4 percent. Finally, turnover from canteens and catering remained virtually unchanged (0.2 percent).

Turnover accommodation and food services sector almost halved year-on-year

In Q1 2021, turnover among accommodation and food services was 46.7 percent lower than in the same quarter of 2020. Cafés, hotels and restaurants were affected particularly heavily by the strict measures against the spread of coronavirus. Only other accommodation services such as holiday parks were able to maintain their turnover at a level similar to one year previously.

In Q1 2020, the accommodation and food services sector was already faced with turnover losses due to the coronavirus crisis. In mid-March 2020, accommodation and food service outlets were forced to more or less close their doors to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Relative to Q1 2019, turnover in Q1 2021 was about 52 percent lower.