Rural inns shutting down pose challenges for countryside getaways - Rural communities face challenges in establishing establishments - local taverns shuttered in villages
In recent years, rural gastronomy in Brandenburg, Germany, has been facing a significant decline. This decrease can be attributed to various factors, including demographic changes, changing consumer preferences, and increased competition from alternative dining and accommodation options.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, adjusting for price increases, caterers and hoteliers in Germany experienced a real turnover loss of 4.6% in May 2023. This trend is particularly strong in the area of taverns, including pubs, with a minus of 32%. The number of gastronomic businesses has also decreased, dropping from 4,101 in 2010 to 3,697 by 2023.
Olaf Lücke, the main manager of Dehoga Brandenburg, has expressed concern about this decline and has highlighted several reasons for it. He stated that high energy and personnel costs are burdening the gastronomy industry. Moreover, bad train and bus connections, as well as a lack of local places for bike tourists to stop for several kilometers, are cited as reasons for fewer guests visiting rural gasthouses.
Another issue is the thinning out of gastronomy in rural areas. Many rural gasthouses no longer open their hall due to high heating costs, according to Lücke. Furthermore, he stated that customers are watching their wallets when going out, and many young people no longer go to the gasthaus because they want different gastronomic offers and variety on the menu.
In response to this decline, Dehoga is looking for alternatives in rural gastronomy. One such alternative is the diversification of services, with gasthouses transforming into multifunctional venues offering local products, events, and tourism experiences to attract visitors beyond just meals. Another approach is the integration with regional tourism, emphasizing authentic local cuisine and farm-to-table concepts appealing to international and domestic tourists.
Modernization and quality focus are also being emphasized, with an aim to compete with urban gastronomy while retaining rural charm. New formats such as seasonal pop-up restaurants, food trucks, or community-supported eateries are also emerging, requiring lower investment but maintaining the social and culinary hub function.
These adaptations aim to make rural gastronomic venues sustainable and attractive for both locals and tourists in Brandenburg. The federal government is also taking steps to support the industry, permanently reducing the VAT for food in the gastronomy sector from 19 to 7% as of January 1, 2026.
Despite these efforts, further regional studies may be needed for detailed data on the decline in Brandenburg's rural gastronomy and the effectiveness of these adaptations. The CDU in the Potsdam state parliament has expressed concern about the closure of rural gastronomic businesses and has called for action to address this issue.
- To combat the decline in rural gastronomy in Brandenburg, Dehoga is advocating for community aid, specifically focusing on diversifying services, modernizing, and maintaining quality standards to compete with urban gastronomy while preserving rural charm.
- Recognizing the financial burden on the industry, there's a push for aid in the construction of new buildings, such as multi-functional venues and pop-up restaurants, which require lower investments while still serving as social and culinary hubs.
- In line with these adaptations, the federal government is also supporting the industry by permanently reducing VAT for food in the gastronomy sector, aiming to make rural gastronomic venues more appealing and sustainable for both locals and tourists in Brandenburg.
