In general, the industry “also struggled with falling sales and high costs in the first half of the year” and the home tournament “did not, as expected, generate any increase in sales” for most businesses. The UEFA European Football Championship in Germany began on June 14 and ends on Sunday. 

According to the association’s survey, hoteliers and restaurateurs’ turnover was a nominal 10.9 percent lower in the first half of the year than in the same period last year.

In June, nominal sales losses were also 11.1 percent.

“The current survey results illustrate the continuing very tense situation in the hospitality industry,” said DEHOGA President Guido Zöllick.

Eighty-eight percent of survey participants reported no positive effects from the European Championships, 8.1 percent said they had “positive impulses from the major sporting event”, but in host cities such as Berlin and Hamburg, a comparatively large number of businesses (17.5 percent) said they benefited from the European Championships. Pubs, bars and beer gardens reported a particularly good response (32.1 percent).

The European Championships were “definitely an important stimulus for strengthening tourism in Germany”, said Zöllick:

“The mood was good. Our businesses presented themselves as great hosts with creative offers for football fans from all over Europe.”

The DEHOGA survey was carried out between July 2 and 10 among more than 2,700 hospitality companies in Germany.