COVID mistakes can't be repeated this winter, says German hotel industry
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[June 21, 2022]
BERLIN (Reuters) - German hotels are
still limping towards recovery after the pandemic, and lawmakers need to
prepare now to be ready for the coming winter, said the head of the
DEHOGA hospitality body.
Despite pent-up demand, the industry is facing a possible third year of
losses in 2022, with 57% of businesses reporting lower sales last month
compared with pre-crisis May 2019, said DEHOGA president Guido Zoellick
at a news conference on Tuesday.
"The mistakes of the past cannot be repeated," he said, calling for the
state and federal governments to issue clear rules and a unified course
on COVID-19 policy for the winter.
Zoellick said a major hurdle to recovery continues to be a lack of
workers, with 60% of businesses affected, and called for labour
immigration rules for non-EU countries to be simplified.
"It's very bitter when businesses are unable to meet urgent demand due
to a staff shortage," the DEHOGA president said.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Aug/26/images/ads/current/ldn_sda_062409.png)
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![](../images/062122PIX/health7.jpg)
An employee prepares to receive guests at the Hotel Adlon Kempinski
after lockdown due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in
Berlin, Germany, June 10, 2021. Picture taken June 10, 2021.
REUTERS/Michele Tantussi
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2022/Jun/21/images/ads/current/graue_22SILVERADO_061822.png) There were roughly 1 million
full-time workers in the industry recorded in March 2022, he said.
That is 63,700 fewer than the in same month in 2019 but 61,000 more
than in March 2021.
"This is encouraging and shows quite a few employees are returning
and new employees are also being recruited," he said.
Ensuring affordable energy supply amid the war in Ukraine and
extending the reduction on value-added tax for hotel food are also
essential for the industry to thrive, said Zoellick.
(Reporting by Miranda Murray; Editing by Madeline Chambers)
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