Conviviality and Hospitality

A thriving European hospitality industry is essential for Europe’s brewing sector but it is also key for European jobs and growth. One job in brewing creates one in agriculture, one in packaging and logistics, one in marketing and other services, one in retail and 11 in bars, pubs and restaurants. These establishments are the main routes to market for beer.

It is important that decision-makers recognise the major contribution made by the European hospitality sector to the EU economy and society and that its good health is essential for EU job creation and growth.

The prosperity of other European business sectors, including agriculture, tourism and brewing is also at stake here. This is why a policy framework that truly values the hospitality sector is needed.

The hospitality sector also supports a flexible labour market, providing work for young and first time labour market entrants and those returning to the job market. With youth unemployment now firmly on the agendas of Europe’s political leaders, the potential for the hospitality sector to continue to provide jobs should not be overlooked.

At a time when growth appears on the agenda of every EU summit, it is important not to take growth in the hospitality sector for granted. This is why we hope that policymakers will carefully review not only the headline numbers, but also the underlying trends and policy drivers that support growth and employment in this sector.

Concretely, this means looking at the impact of prices, employment and material costs, and also carefully weighing up the different impacts of all policy options to ensure optimum overall contributions to the wider economy and society.

We believe that the hospitality sector is not only an important economic contributor, but also a major social and cultural contributor. Hospitality is at the heart of European society, where bars, cafés and restaurants are places to meet, have fun and get inspired. Put simply, for locals and tourists alike, the hospitality sector enhances our enjoyment of life.

Europe’s brewers are thus committed to working hand-in-hand with the hospitality sector, the whole beer value chain and political stakeholders to promote the hospitality sector and help it to realise the potential it has to combat the big economic and social issues Europe faces today.