The turnover of hotels, restaurants and cafés increased by 2017 percent in the fourth quarter of 0,5 compared to the previous quarter. In total, the catering industry turned in 7,4 percent more than in 2016. This is apparent from figures published by Statistics Netherlands today, 28 February.
In addition to the quarterly figures for the catering industry, CBS also published the annual figures for 2017. This shows that the volume of turnover (how often people go out to eat and drink or spend the night in a hotel) increased by 4.9% due to an increase in tourism and an increasing number of consumptions by the Dutch.
Robèr Willemsen, chairman of KHN: “In recent years, we have seen positive figures in the catering industry every quarter. Many of our members have received more guests and have seen their turnover grow. That is good news. But we also have to be realistic, because the number of catering companies is also increasing. And the costs of catering companies have increased significantly recently, partly due to the high commissions that search, book and delivery platforms such as Booking.com and Thuisbezorgd.nl charge for their services. As a result, margins and profits are under pressure at many catering companies. In addition, we have to take into account that growth is leveling off. In short: nice that there are good figures, but let's keep our feet on the ground."
Increase in the number of catering companies
Last year, 1765 catering companies were added to the total catering industry. Half of these are traditional catering companies: hotels, restaurants, cafes and fast-service companies. The other half are canteens and catering companies, but CBS also counts independent cooks and waiters and restaurants who deliver exclusively to this category.
Hotels
In the last quarter of 2017, tourism grew by 8.2%. The strongest growth came from foreign guests: no less than 12,6% more tourists stayed in the Netherlands compared to the same period a year earlier. Compared to the same period, the turnover of hotels grew by 10,1%.
Restaurants
In 2017, people ate out more often than in 2016. The number of drinks sold in restaurants grew by 4,3%. In the fourth quarter of 2017, restaurant sales grew 6,5% compared to the same quarter a year earlier.
Fast service companies
In snack bars, lunchrooms, ice cream parlors and delivery restaurants, clientele grew by 4,4% compared to the same period a year earlier. Turnover in this sector grew by 7,1%.
Coffees
Compared to the same quarter a year earlier, the turnover of cafés and coffee bars increased by 3,1%. The number of drinks grew by 1,7%.