Poland’s hotel and restaurant industry entered the summer season with significantly lower debt than a year earlier. At the end of May 2026, the total value of overdue liabilities in the HoReCa sector stood at PLN 1.88 billion, down 7.5% year on year.
The improvement was driven primarily by hotels, which reduced their arrears by more than PLN 170 million. The situation remains more difficult in the restaurant sector, where overdue debt increased to nearly PLN 902 million.
Data from the BIG InfoMonitor Debtors Register and the Credit Information Bureau, or BIK, show that the accommodation and foodservice sector is gradually improving its financial liquidity. Over the course of a year, the total value of overdue liabilities fell from more than PLN 2 billion to approximately PLN 1.88 billion.
At the same time, the number of businesses experiencing financial difficulties declined by 401. These companies disappeared entirely from the registers of unreliable payers.
Although the trend is positive, the overall level of debt remains high. For many businesses, the summer holiday period will be not only a time of higher turnover, but also a test of their resilience to rising employment, property maintenance, energy and supply costs.
Hotels Reduce Overdue Debt by One-Fifth
The greatest improvement was recorded among hotels and similar accommodation providers. Their overdue debt fell by more than PLN 170 million over the course of a year, representing a decline of 19.9%, and stood at PLN 689 million at the end of May.
The improvement in the hotel sector was the main factor behind the reduction in total HoReCa debt.
Companies involved in preparing and delivering food to external customers also reported lower arrears. Among catering businesses, overdue liabilities fell by more than PLN 5 million, or 6.8%. However, they still exceeded PLN 69 million.
“The industry gained some financial breathing room at the ideal moment, just before the beginning of the summer season, which is a key source of annual revenue for many businesses,” said Paweł Szarkowski, President of BIG InfoMonitor.
He stressed, however, that the improvement does not mean the sector’s problems are over. Businesses still have to deal with rising operating costs, labour shortages and difficulties maintaining profitability outside the peak season.
Restaurants Owe Nearly PLN 902 Million
A different trend can be seen among restaurants and other foodservice establishments. Their overdue debt increased by more than PLN 24 million over the course of a year, representing growth of 2.8%.
At the end of May 2026, restaurants had nearly PLN 902 million in overdue liabilities. This means they accounted for almost half of the total debt recorded in the accommodation and foodservice sector.
The situation is complicated by the need to manage rising costs of food products, wages, rent and energy at the same time.
Businesses cannot always pass these additional costs on to customers in full, as households are becoming increasingly careful about their spending.
Polish Consumers Change Their Holiday Plans
Another risk for the HoReCa sector may come from consumers reducing their tourism expenditure.
A survey entitled “Rising Fuel Prices and Polish Household Budgets”, conducted for BIG InfoMonitor, found that 35% of respondents planned to change their holiday arrangements this year.
The most common changes include choosing a destination closer to home, using a cheaper form of transport or shortening the duration of the trip.
Across the market as a whole, this may translate into lower revenue for hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and companies serving the tourism industry.
Businesses therefore have to compete for customers who are analysing every złoty they spend more carefully, while simultaneously facing higher costs of serving guests and retaining employees.
“Hotels and restaurants have to compete for cost-conscious customers while bearing very high expenses associated with maintaining their workforces,” said Associate Professor Waldemar Rogowski, Chief Analyst at BIG InfoMonitor.
Operating Costs Are Companies’ Greatest Concern
The pressure experienced by businesses is confirmed by the results of the SME Scanner survey.
Rising operating costs are currently the greatest concern for 29% of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
The problem is particularly visible in the service sector, where 31% of surveyed businesses identify increasing expenses as a major concern. Service companies also report the highest level of anxiety about employment costs.
In response to increasing financial pressure, 29% of businesses plan to raise the prices of their products or services.
For many companies, however, this is not an attempt to increase margins, but a way to maintain liquidity and cover current expenses.
In the HoReCa sector, the potential scale of price increases is restricted by customers’ financial situation.
Excessive increases in accommodation and meal prices could further weaken demand, particularly after the end of the summer season.
Full Bookings Do Not Necessarily Mean High Profits
The summer months should improve companies’ current liquidity and allow them to repay further overdue liabilities.
However, high hotel occupancy and increased restaurant traffic do not automatically translate into strong profitability.
A large share of summer revenue is spent on wages and additional benefits for seasonal employees.
In tourist destinations, employers often provide workers with free accommodation and meals, further reducing profit margins.
For this reason, the sector’s true financial condition may become clear only after the summer season has ended.
Companies that fail to build sufficient financial reserves may struggle in the autumn to pay rent, salaries, loan instalments and liabilities to suppliers.
“Businesses that fall for the illusion of strong summer turnover and fail to build a financial cushion may encounter difficulties meeting their current obligations after the season,” Szarkowski warned.
According to the President of BIG InfoMonitor, strict budget control before the autumn slowdown will be crucial.
Autumn Will Be the Real Test for HoReCa
The decline in debt shows that the HoReCa sector is gradually rebuilding its financial position.
However, the improvement is not evenly distributed. Hotels are clearly reducing their arrears, while restaurant debt continues to grow.
The sustainability of the positive trend will depend on whether businesses use the higher revenue generated in July and August to reduce liabilities and build reserves for months of weaker demand.
The real test will therefore not be full bookings during the peak holiday season, but the ability of companies to maintain liquidity during the autumn and winter.
Only data from the following months will show whether the current decline in overdue debt marks the beginning of a lasting recovery or merely a seasonal improvement.
Source: ManagerPlus.pl
