"Are you angry again?" When 'the hospitality industry' is in the news, then, like probably many other hospitality people, I am addressed as if I personally represent the entire industry. Most people don't wait for the answer to their question, they just want to say something about it themselves. Before you know it, you'll be having a discussion about government support ('You've already had so much money'), about entrepreneurship ('Entrepreneurship is just taking risks?') but especially in recent weeks about admission tickets ('What are you doing now? to moan..').
In an industry that revolves around hospitality, where everyone is by definition equal, it is difficult to distinguish between guests. Yet tonight it was announced what has been in the air for a while; 'We' will have to check our guests at the door for an entry ticket. 'We' have some experience; someone around the age of 18 'we' already check for identity documents when he or she orders an alcoholic drink.
The catering industry as a play ball
If you look at it very soberly, it should be doable. But that's where it is right now. People with the loudest voice in the whole discussion don't look at it soberly. The emotions are running high. In recent years, the 'free profession' of catering entrepreneurs has already been an enormous plaything for regulators. Of all the tightened alcohol, tobacco, noise, nuisance, terrace, blurring, waste and the past year and a half, especially corona legislation, this is the last straw.
Yes, there were indeed quite good arrangements and a lot has been done financially. But that does not give entrepreneurs back what was taken from them in March 2020; their freedom. Their presumed mayorship of their own catering municipality. The proud position of supreme boss in their own kingdom. You should stay away from that. However many rational reasons there are for introducing access tests, it is incompatible with the way they have organized their life's work. That is an unbelievably great sacrifice what you are asking of them.
Rather scan than close
Many other entrepreneurs, perhaps most and at least those who together represent the largest part of the turnover in the industry, are a lot more rational in the discussion. They say rather to scan than to close. They have been happy for a long time that all parties and parties that have sometimes been moved three times can now finally continue. The conference hotels, the large (exhibition) companies that are equipped for access control and/or registration, they are as happy as a child. They are allowed again!
Horeca is emotion and that is something that The Hague has paid too little attention to over the past year and a half. The most beautiful catering industry is not mainly about money, not mainly about turnover, but mainly about guests who are all equal. My first boss already taught me: 'Never talk to your guests at the bar about politics or each other's wives, that's what causes the greatest misery'. We have that misery now and we will see how hot the soup is eaten. In any case, the temperature is much too high now.
The trade association must connect
Maybe it's time for our industry association to calm things down a bit by lowering the call horn and connecting. Not all catering is created equal. Not all catering industry is angry, but for many entrepreneurs the bucket has now overflowed after 1,5 years of misery. That is not the fault of the government, not of the access pass, but of the uncertainty and sense of injustice that has accumulated. They deserve a helping hand now, a little bit of reason. They benefit from much more than heated anger, barricades and #I refuse. That leads to accidents and they have not kept their business in the air for 1,5 years.
column: Walter Verkerk
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