Some restaurants in Switzerland are passing on the cost of rising energy prices to diners with the blessing of the industry’s umbrella group Gastrosuisse, Swiss media reports.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
Português
pt
Restaurantes suíços sofrem com sobretaxas de energia
Restaurants that survived the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns now face a new threat to their existence – large hikes in their heating and electricity bills.
Gastrosuisse confirmed to the Blick newspaper on Tuesday that diners could be asked to pay more for their meals to help cover these increasing costs.
“Gastrosuisse generally recommends that restaurants ensure their economic viability by constantly monitoring rising costs,” said spokesperson Astrid Haida. “Due to the generally high level of inflation, guests understand that prices are increasing in the catering and hotel industry.”
However, Haida said that price increases caused by rising energy costs should be transparently communicated to diners.
There are already reports of restaurants adding a 5% energy surcharge to bills.
Households have been warned to expect an average 27% rise in electricity bills next year, caused mainly by gas shortages resulting from the Ukraine war and reduced production from France’s ageing nuclear power grid.
But business lobby groups have warned the price hikes could be worse for some companies.
“Electronic devices, cars or sporting goods such as bicycles and e-bikes could become more expensive, but so could many groceries,” the Swiss Business Federation warned in March.
The cost of goods and services in Switzerland rose 3.5% in August compared to the same month last year and there are fears that rising energy bills could add to the problem.
Swiss public broadcaster RTS has reported that some landlords are raising rental charges for retail and office space in response to rising electricity costs.
High-altitude Swiss mountain restaurant burns down
This content was published on
A restaurant built at 3,000 metres in the Swiss Alps, and a favourite destination for tourists, is partially destroyed by fire.
Bodycams: essential for good law enforcement, or a privacy risk?
Did you ever come across bodycams in your place of residence and if so, how do you think the use of bodycams alter the relationship between the public and (transport) police?
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
Humanitarian law “not an à la carte right”: Swiss foreign minister
This content was published on
UN Security Council members, with the exception of Moscow, are in Geneva for the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland braces for winter energy crunch
This content was published on
Explainer: why is there a risk of an energy shortage this winter? What is Switzerland doing to reduce gas and electricity consumption?
This content was published on
The cost of Swiss goods and services rose 3.5% in August compared to the same month last year, but inflation rate remains below that of many other countries.
This content was published on
Swiss industry, particularly chemical, engineering and food production, are already feeling the effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
What the Ukraine war means for Switzerland’s energy policy
This content was published on
Switzerland gets almost half of its gas from Russia. An analysis of how the country's energy policy is being affected by the war in Ukraine.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.