Magazine: Dr. MVI

Károly Zerényi prepares important background materials and recommendations for the Guild of Hungarian Restaurateurs (MVI). Our magazine asked him about how he sees the Hungarian restaurant business at the moment.

T.M.: – What were the most important events for the trade in the last few years?

Károly Zerényi
consultant
MVI

– The VAT cut was an important step forward: thanks to this restaurant businesses have more money to increase salaries and finance development projects. However, it must also be mentioned that that the VAT regulation, which entered into force in 2017, is too complex to implement in practice. It was also an important achievement that Artisjus lowered the music use rates for bars and restaurants.

T.M.: – What is the relationship of the trade with state authorities like? How do restaurants get on with supervising authorities?

– Creating the Hungarian Tourism Agency (MTÜ) entailed great changes, as the tasks formerly belonging to the ministry
were delegated to MTÜ. It would be great help if the hospitality sector had a separate department within the agency’s structure. MVI and the National Food Chain Safety Office (NÉBIH) have a good relationship, and we have started a constructive dialogue with the National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) recently.

T.M.: – How do you see the situation of trade education?

– This is a very complex issue, both from a professional and a pedagogical perspective. There is a lack of workforce in the sector and the education system was criticised in the last few years. The Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MKIK) improved the situation by establishing a special council, which tries to harmonise the needs of the market with the system of trade education. //