Fifth season
Study: Carnival brings significantly more sales than in the previous year
Not only carnival fans are longing for the foolish days. Gastronomers and retailers can look forward to high income, as an estimate by economists shows.
Rose Monday is imminent, the jokes are ready. According to an analysis, the carnival could rinse at least 2.1 billion euros nationwide into the coffers – and thus significantly more than in previous years. This emerges from calculations by the employer -related institute of the German Economy (IW). In the previous carnival season, total sales of a good 1.7 billion euros had been forecast.
The experts attribute the strong increase to the particularly long carnival session this time. It traditionally begins on November 11th and ends on Ash Wednesday, which falls on March 5 this year. The session takes 20 days longer than in the previous year. So there is more time to take part in events and spend money.
The carnival business for gastronomy is particularly lucrative. The IW expects sales of 925 million euros for food and drink. This is followed by the retail trade, which earns at the sale of costumes and sweets, with 449 million euros. Railway tickets and taxi rides are expected to bring around 322 million euros, hotel accommodation 240 million euros. Around 179 million euros are in other areas.
Saling hotel surcharge in Cologne
IW director Michael Hüther says about the importance of the carnival: “The psychological effect of the fifth season should not be underestimated. Because Carnival stands for cohesion and confidence. Values that we need more than ever in times of global crises and uncertainties.”
The experts also took a close look at the hotel prices. In the Cologne carnival stronghold, overnight guests have to dig deep into their pockets. One night in a double room for two adults costs an average of 105 euros on the main carnival days and almost 80 percent more than usual. In Mainz or Düsseldorf, however, the rooms are hardly more expensive than usual.
The institute has calculated the expected carnival turnover since 2019/2020. The researchers analyze the distribution of income based on previous studies and continue the data taking into account the consumer price index, adjusted for the duration of the carnival session. According to IW, there are no figures on the actual sales of the carnival, but it is said that the estimates would come close to reality.
dpa
Source: Stern
