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Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) - North Rhine-Westphalia's hospitality industry has had to accept a violent collapse in its business in the corona pandemic.

Last year, sales fell by 40.2 percent, announced the state statistical office IT.NRW on Thursday in Düsseldorf.

The reason was the corona crisis and its restrictions - restaurants have been closed since November 2020 and hotels are running on the back burner.

In addition, there were closings in the spring of last year.

The end of the year was particularly gloomy: In December 2020, sales in the industry slumped by two thirds (68.7 percent) compared to the same month last year.

The industry is divided into two parts: accommodation and food: In hotels and other accommodations, revenues plummeted by 83.4 percent in December, while sales in the catering sector fell by 63.6 percent.

After all, the industry is entitled to a relatively high level of government aid for this month; since January 2021, the financial injections provided by the state have been less dosed.

The industry association Dehoga NRW spoke of a "historic drop in sales".

"The industry is facing a tough struggle for survival in the new year", said association chief Bernd Niemeier.

Around two thirds of entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry feared for their existence.

Further state aid - quickly and unbureaucratically paid - as well as a reliable opening perspective are necessary.

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© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210218-99-492419 / 2

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