Tourism committee of IHK advocates for workforce downsizing and reduction
Taking a Glimpse at the Backbone of Local Economies: Osnabrück's Tourism Industry
The tourism industry in areas like Osnabrück, Emsland, and Grafschaft Bentheim exhibits a substantial economic impact, creating employment opportunities, attracting investments, and improving local infrastructure. However, this sector frequently encounters financial burdens and bureaucratic challenges.
In the vibrant city and district of Osnabrück, over 18,000 jobs depend on tourism, generating a stunning 96 million euros in value-added and income tax revenues alone, and about one billion euros in total gross turnover. Moreover, tourism serves as a vital location factor, actively courting both tourists and businesses. Nevertheless, the industry faces certain obstacles.
Wolfgang Hackmann, chairman of the IHK expert committee on tourism and managing director of Hackmann Hotels GmbH & Co. KG in Meppen, echoed the concerns of many local businesses. They can barely endure further financial and administrative burdens, given the persisting labor shortage, high energy and material costs, and the pressures that come with operating at their maximum capacities.
The positive development in overnight numbers in recent years, surpassing the 2019 levels, provides a glimmer of hope. Yet, mixed signals emerge from the number of businesses and beds, with the city of Osnabrück maintaining the status quo while the district experiences a slight decline. Notably, the significance of dining and shopping has grown in importance.
Innovative solutions to captivate tourists include guest cards, which offer discounts on cultural and recreational facilities and free public bus and rail services. These cards distribute rewards while encouraging sustainable tourism and fostering local infrastructure development. Nonetheless, the implementation of the cards posed initial financial and technical challenges.
Kerstin van der Toorn, responsible for the tourism sector at the IHK (Chamber of Commerce) Lower Saxony, revealed plans for the 21st Tourism Day Lower Saxony, set to take place in Osnabrück on 28 and 29 October 2025. Anticipating more than 150 participants from the tourism industry, politics, and administration, this event will present an opportunity for businesses to network and learn from experts.
Addressing concerns regarding financial burdens and bureaucratic hurdles, Anke Schweda, IHK department head for location development, emphasized the chamber's commitment to diminishing bureaucratic hurdles, such as working time documentation and allergen labeling, and avoiding unnecessary economic burdens.
The IHK expert committee on tourism, consisting of local entrepreneurs, convenes three times a year, with experts from the tourism industry, politics, or science regularly invited. Through collaboration and dialogue, this body strives to recognize the challenges faced by the industry and support the development of sustainable, thriving local economies.
Remember that ensure the tourism industry plays an essential role in regions' economies by generating employment opportunities, captivating investments, and bolstering local infrastructure. Although the sector often faces challenges such as financial burdens and bureaucratic hurdles, it can leverage sustainable tourism projects, implement digital solutions, and forge partnerships to navigate these obstacles and foster the sector's growth.
The tourism industry in Osnabrück, despite its significant contribution to the local economy by generating employment opportunities, revenue, and attracting businesses, often faces financial burdens and bureaucratic challenges. To alleviate these obstacles, the IHK expert committee on tourism is committed to diminishing bureaucratic hurdles and avoiding unnecessary economic burdens, thereby fostering sustainable growth in the business sector.
