IHK economic survey: Uncertainties in the future overshadow the entire industry.
The tourism industry in the state of Brandenburg cannot draw a positive conclusion for the summer season this year. "Compared to last year, the assessment of the current business situation has deteriorated significantly," explains Ina Hänsel, President of the Potsdam Chamber of Industry and Commerce, on behalf of the Brandenburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce. "We are observing that the season is becoming less and less predictable. Bookings are increasingly being made at short notice and demand is fluctuating. The hospitality industry in particular is under much more pressure than the accommodation sector."
These are the results of the IHK autumn survey on the economy, in which 5,151 companies from Brandenburg's tourism industry were surveyed, including companies from the hospitality, accommodation, leisure and event sectors as well as water tourism.
Current business situation: Satisfactory mood prevails
A total of 83 percent of companies in the entire tourism industry rate their situation as good or satisfactory. Companies are reporting high demand in the summer months. However, feedback on good business situations is falling sharply. The proportion of those who rate their situation as poor has even doubled. While almost a quarter of the catering businesses surveyed in 2024 still rated their current situation as good, only 15% did so after summer 2025. The reluctance among accommodation providers is even more pronounced: 35% of the businesses surveyed rate their current business situation as good. A year ago, the figure was 55%. The persistently high costs for staff, energy and food purchasing are causing problems for businesses. The shortage of skilled workers also remains a pressing problem.
Pessimistic expectations for the future
Expectations for the next twelve months are predominantly pessimistic. 27 percent of accommodation businesses and almost half (45 percent) of catering businesses expect business to deteriorate. Further rising costs, a possible increase or introduction of the bed tax and the increasing shortage of skilled workers, which is also accompanied by a lack of accommodation for staff, are worrying companies. The only hope is the announced reduction in VAT in the hospitality industry.
Turnover and demand: cautious forecasts
Only around a fifth of companies expect turnover to increase in the coming months, while more than a third anticipate a decline. Uncertainty therefore remains high and the development of demand is difficult to plan. An increase in accommodation and food prices is expected in the hospitality industry in particular.
Slight increase in planned investments
The propensity to invest is in line with the three-year average, but remains below the level of 2024. Although slightly more companies are planning investments than in the previous year, the overall momentum is subdued. Just under 24% are planning to increase investments in 2026, 2% more than in 2024. The main motives are replacement requirements, capacity expansions and rationalization measures. However, many companies lack the financial resources for larger investment projects and innovations.
Burdens: Cost pressure and increasing labor and skills shortages
The risk radar is led by rising costs for personnel (2025: 85%, 2024: 71%) and energy and food (2025: 80%, 2024: 68%). However, economic policy conditions (2025: 64%, 2024: 66%) and the shortage of skilled workers (2025: 52%, 2024: 61%) are also cited as high risks.
In the hospitality industry in particular, higher labor costs and purchase prices have a doubly negative impact. After a temporary easing due to seasonal workers, who are easier to find in the summer months, the risk of a shortage of skilled workers is also increasing significantly again.
62% of tourism businesses require workers who have completed dual vocational training. However, more than half of companies have difficulties filling vacancies with qualified staff. In the hospitality industry in particular, training positions remain unfilled and even positions without the required vocational qualification, which further complicates the situation for companies.
The state working group (LAG) is a cooperation of the three chambers of industry and commerce in the state of Brandenburg. It represents the interests of around 160,000 companies from industry, trade and services.