Live from Brussels – Issue n°102

A message from Ms. Marie Audren, Director General of HOTREC

Dear reader, 

It’s been over one year since the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed our lives, reshaping our habits and putting the European hospitality sector and its value chain under unprecedented pressure. Twelve months and yet most hospitality establishments all over Europe are still closed in a collective effort to fight the virus.

We have worked hard with our membership and EU policymakers to ensure a seamless exchange of information, best practices and a fast response to the crisis. We joined forces with other industry partners calling for measures and initiatives to help the industry, and we are still urging for increased coordination of travel restrictions at the EU level, accessible funding and more predictability for businesses.

Now it’s time to bring our commitment a step further in making the voice of European hospitality heard. Today is a special day for HOTREC, as we proudly present you our campaign: #TogetherForHospitality.

It is impossible not to feel a sense of loss reflecting on all that we are missing without hospitality. Not only from an economic perspective but also at a personal level: the feeling of community when sharing a meal, the life-changing experience of travel, of visiting new places and meeting old and new friends. The road to recovery will be long and challenging, but if we stand together we can persevere and go back to our favourite hotels, restaurants, bars and cafes.

We want to support the industry at the most critical time to help millions of businesses, SMEs, owners, staff, managers and chefs.

We want to help hospitality thrive because it’s a central pillar in the European economy, culture and society.

We want to protect the sector because helping the industry recover and secure a better future isn’t just crucial for the economy. It’s also the only way to protect our way of life. A better future for hospitality is a better future for all!

Help us bring hope to the industry. Commit to hospitality. Join our campaign.