Romanian Hospitality Industry Sees 60% Drop in Sales
The local restaurant industry, one of the most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, currently allowed only open-air serving and food delivery, has recorded a 60% drop in sales compared with 2019.
“Romania is the only country in Europe where indoor restaurants are not open, while other countries that had a high number of infections, such as Spain, Germany or Italy, have resumed activity in the hospitality industry with hygiene and distancing rules in place,” said Daniel Mischie, president of the HORA association of employers in the Romanian hospitality industry.
Industry representatives said in a press conference Wednesday the government cannot solve the healthcare crisis by shutting down the hospitality industry and urged to be allowed to continue their activity while observing appropriate rules.
“Restaurants are currently making just 40% of what they used to and could be forced to restrict activity even more once the cold season arrives,” said Mischie.
The industry employs more than 400,00 people in hotels, restaurants and bars. Before the pandemic, the local hospitality industry had annual revenues of around EUR5 billion.
Source: Oana Gavrila
