Benelux hospitality after summer: busy terraces, tight margins

Anyone who walked through Ghent, Maastricht or Luxembourg City this summer saw terraces full until late into the evening. The figures confirm it: hospitality revenue across the three Benelux countries was on average six percent higher than a year earlier.

Revenue up, profit not

Yet the mood among many operators remains cautious. Wage costs rose with indexation and collective agreements, and energy bills are still well above their level of five years ago. At the bottom line, many venues keep barely more than in 2025.

The gap between city and countryside is striking. Urban venues benefit from tourism and conferences, while village cafés and rural restaurants find it harder to attract both staff and guests.

Staffing remains the biggest worry

Asked about their biggest challenge, almost seven in ten operators name finding staff. In Belgium flexi-jobs provide some breathing room, while in the Netherlands businesses are looking for alternatives to stricter rules on on-call contracts.

For the autumn most venues expect a stable season, with end-of-year parties as an important buffer. Those who dare to adjust their prices and plan smartly appear best equipped.✦