KHN: 2024 was a challenging hospitality year, 2025 offers plenty of opportunities!

Koninklijke Horeca Nederland (KHN) today presented its review of the 2024 hospitality year and a look ahead to 2025. The hospitality industry showed resilience again last year, despite a challenging market. Challenges such as staff shortages and rising costs remain topical. But with revenue growth of 5% and a record high in employment, there is reason for optimism. The recent drop in intake in hospitality training underlines the importance of investing in the future. KHN is therefore investing in good employment practices, sustainability, innovation and a strong business climate. This way, the industry organisation contributes to a healthy and future-proof hospitality sector.

Despite rising sales, volume growth fails to materialise

The hospitality sector's turnover grew by 5% in 2024 compared to 2023, Rabobank figures show. However, volume fell by 0.5%. This can be explained by rising costs for procurement, energy and staff, among other things, which operators cannot fully pass on to their guests. For accommodation providers, the volume decline was 2.3%, which is partly due to the fact that 2023 was an exceptionally good year. The volume of food and beverage outlets shows a slight increase of 0.6%. Among other factors, weather conditions in the second quarter of 2024 had a negative impact on sales and volume. The number of catering establishments fell from 44,389 in 2023, to 43,120 in 2024. This means that despite a slight decline in the number of establishments, the sector managed to achieve almost the same volume. This shows the resilience and efficiency of entrepreneurs.

Labour market monitor: employment hits record high, workers like working in hospitality industry

The number of hospitality jobs in 2023 (no figures are yet available from 2024) was 517,040, of which 30% were filled with an open-ended contract. The sector mainly employs young people: of the total number of employees, 50% are aged between 15 and 24 and the average age is 31. Hospitality workers work an average of 21.5 hours per week. Flexibility remains very important for both hospitality entrepreneurs and employees. The number of students studying in the hospitality industry dropped from 53,826 in the (school) year 2022-2023 to 50,970 in 2023-2024. Although labour market tension persists, satisfaction among hospitality employees is high. From the Labour market monitor also shows that 76.2% of employees are satisfied to very satisfied with working in the hospitality industry.

Slight rise in business and consumer confidence

Although business confidence in the hospitality sector is not yet up to par, there is a slight turnaround. Consumer confidence is also showing a steady recovery. Willingness to buy is increasing and consumers are less negative about their financial situation, according to CBS calculations. This also provides opportunities for spending in the hospitality sector. Major banks are moderately positive and expect a turnover increase around 3% and a volume increase around 1.5% for 2025.

KHN focuses on employability, sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurship

While there are many uncertainties, KHN sees several positive developments. And that means there are opportunities for entrepreneurs. The hospitality market is in full swing and it is important for hospitality entrepreneurs to be able to move with it. KHN supports its members in anticipating current issues, such as the new collective labour agreement, recent legislative changes and good personnel policy. Therefore, being an employer, sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurship are themes on which KHN is fully committed again in 2025. From these pillars, the sector organisation works with and for its members towards a robust and flexible sector that sees opportunities and faces challenges with confidence.