The economics of... pub deaths

Is the trend towards fewer and fewer inns irreversible? / 52

Until a few decades ago, every village in Germany had its inn. People met, ate, drank. 

Those times are gone. The number of restaurants, hotels and guesthouses has been decreasing for decades. From 2012 to 2020 alone, the number fell from almost 37,000 to less than 29,000 – a drop of more than 20 per cent in just eight years. One of the lost inns is pictured above. I came by on a recent hike in the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg. 

Since I love hiking, I would appreciate seeing a trend reversal. There is hardly anything more satisfying than a stop at a restaurant after a long hike. And I wonder why this reversal hasn't happened yet. After all, people have more money today than they had some decades ago. And the desire for good company, for a home away from home, for delicious food and exceptional drinks has certainly not diminished. 

So, innovative gastronomy concepts must have a future. Adapting menus to changing eating habits, focusing on sustainability, telling stories – I bet there are many ideas out there on how gastronomy can change for the better.

Onwards,

Johannes Eber