On 5 May 2025, DEHOGA Baden-Württemberg welcomed around 3,500 hotel and gastronomy entrepreneurs to the “Beim Benz” marquee at Stuttgart’s traditional spring festival in Cannstatter Wasen. Coming from all across Germany, this event provided excellent networking opportunities for guests, as well as the chance to discuss key industry topics such as reducing red tape, introducing fair VAT rules and ensuring more flexible working hours.

Fighting together - celebrating together’ - this was the motto under which over 3,500 restaurateurs gathered in the Beim Benz marquee at the Cannstatter Wasen on 5 May. As a strong DEHOGA community, they impressively demonstrated how united the hospitality industry is in defending its interests.

The chairmen of all five state parliamentary parties were guests and answered questions from the industry. The political commitment to 7% VAT on food - a key concern of DEHOGA - was particularly well received. State Chairman Fritz Engelhardt spoke of an ‘important success with a positive effect far beyond the industry’.

DEHOGA also saw the planned flexibilisation of the Working Hours Act as progress. Thanks and recognition went to all those who are campaigning for better framework conditions in the hospitality industry.

However, the debate surrounding the minimum wage is causing concern. Engelhardt criticised the political push for an increase to 15 euros from 2026 as an attack on the autonomy of collective bargaining and warned of dangers for businesses and jobs. Instead, he called for a reduction in non-wage labour costs.

In conclusion, Engelhardt emphasised: ‘A strong hospitality industry is also an economic opportunity for Baden-Württemberg - especially in times of structural change.’