The hospitality industry forecasts that the prices in hotels, restaurants and cafes will increase by over 30% following the increase in gas rates and in utility prices, which will have an impact on the prices of products, IPN reports, quoting a press release of the National Association of Restaurants and Leisure Facilities of the Republic of Moldova (MĂR).

According to MĂR, theoretically, if the costs are added to the price of food, the public eating places will be able to cover the exorbitant sums they will have to compensate. They will maintain the working capacity, but will have fewer visitors. The citizens need to cover the primary costs, especially during the cold period of the year, such as public utilities, food and clothing. A person now spends 4% of the incomes on recreation, including on eating in public places. Now that consecutive prices rises are expected, the number of consumers and average consumption will decrease.

MĂR considers the authorities’ intervention and support for an important sector of the economy are extremely necessary. “We hope the authorities will review the decision not to subsidize business entities and will support a sector of the economy that is close to bankruptcy due to the pandemic,” said the Association.

MĂR noted that following the recently introduced restrictions, the hospitality industry works at the capacity of 30%. The territorial-administrative units with a larger population, with increased economic activity and with more public eating places are on red alert and this means the places must be only 50% filled and must ask a COVID-19 certificate from visitors, with private events being banned.