Ralf Benda’s first official day and his call for tax relief

Today marks Ralf Benda’s official first day as chairman of Koninklijke Horeca Nederland. His key message to politicians in the run-up to Prinsjesdag is: ensure a reduction in the regulatory burden and create more scope for entrepreneurship in the hospitality sector.

In recent years, hospitality business owners have faced a mounting burden of increased costs. The VAT increase on accommodation from 9% to 21%, ever-rising energy costs and, above all, the massive rise in staff costs are taking their toll. Substantial increases in the statutory minimum wage – and consequently in youth wages – are having a massive impact on a sector in which more than 50% of employees are under the age of 25.

The regulatory burden is also increasing. Furthermore, there is a risk of further increases in alcohol duty and local charges, such as the tourist tax, in the coming years. On top of that comes the introduction of the sugar tax on pre-packaged food and non-alcoholic drinks.

Each measure on its own may seem minor, but taken together they are putting hospitality business owners under ever-increasing pressure. In recent years, they have absorbed many of the costs themselves in order to keep the bill for guests as low as possible. Margins are now paper-thin and reserves have been depleted. The financial pressure is far too great, so a reduction in the burden is essential.

Background on Ralf Benda

Ralf Benda (aged 51) has his roots in Limburg and now lives with his family in Santpoort-Zuid. He has been working in the hospitality industry for 30 years and has extensive experience in the (international) hotel industry and the catering and hospitality sector. Among other roles, he served as Director of Food & Beverage for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. He is also no stranger to developing new hospitality concepts. As a co-entrepreneur, he is involved in the development and operation of hospitality concepts in the A’DAM Tower. In addition, he is a co-founder of Velvet Square, which, amongst other things, operates the café of the same name in Amsterdam-Noord and provides hospitality consultancy for Amsterdam projects such as Van Gendt Hallen and Westergasfabriek.