Brussels – 9.9 million people employed and a turnover of approximately 446 billion euros. These are the figures that the catering and accommodation market have moved in 2021 across the European Union. It is reported by theEurostatthe European statistical institute, which calculated that the profits generated by the sector are 203.6 billion.
Growing numbers across the EU, with an average of +39.1 percent, but what affects this data, as Eurostat underlines, is the recovery from the forced closures due to Covid19. Figures that could be higher given that even in 2021 some areas of the 27 member states suffered partial or total lockdowns, which caused a slowdown in the sector. Pre-pandemic levels remain far away: 10 percent of employed people and 20 percent of profit are still missing.
Leading the ranking, both in terms of turnover and employment based on population, is the Greece therefore the catering and accommodation sector is worth 6.5 pct of the GDP and employs 19.6 pct of its workforce. Next in this ranking are Cyprus and Croatia. Slovakia is last, recording only 0.8 percent of total gross domestic product compared to 3.3 percent of employees. In Italy 13 percent of workers are employed in the sector with an impact on the GDP of approximately 3 percent.
Eurostat highlights how the catering and accommodation sector is closely linked to tourism activities. Therefore, a general worsening of economic conditions and the consequent slowdown in tourism have a negative impact on the sector. Another negative aspect concerns the poor labor productivity within the sector: only 23,650 euros for each employee.
