The 2026/27 City Centre Study highlights the growing importance of the hospitality sector, social interaction and the quality of the urban environment – think tank calls for better framework conditions for hospitality businesses
Restaurants and cafés are among the greatest strengths and main attractions of German town centres. This is underlined by the “Germany City Centre Study 2026/27” published this week by CIMA Beratung + Management GmbH. For the think tank Zukunft der Gastwelt (DZG), the findings and figures show that the hospitality sector – comprising tourism, hospitality, foodservice and the leisure industry – is becoming increasingly important for attractive and vibrant city centres.
All in all, the new survey reveals a positive trend: 83.3 per cent of respondents intend to visit their town centre at least as often in future as they do now – the best figure in six years. Restaurants and cafés received a school grade of 2.51, the highest rating of all city centre amenities surveyed, ahead of services (2.56) and retail (2.59). 45 per cent visit the city centre for the restaurants and cafés. After shopping (65.6 per cent) and strolling (46.2 per cent), this is one of the main reasons for visiting. “The figures show just how much the role of our city centres is changing. Shopping remains important, but people also want to eat, drink, meet friends and enjoy experiences there. The more digital our everyday lives become, the more important places where people can come together become,” explains DZG board spokesperson Dr Marcel Klinge.
Thinking about commercial provision and public space as a whole
This is not just about the range of dining options. Cleanliness, seating, green spaces and pedestrian-friendliness each achieved approval ratings of around 90 per cent in the study. At the same time, 39.4 per cent of respondents see a particular need for action regarding public toilets. For the DZG, this shows that commercial offerings and the quality of public spaces must be considered together. “A vibrant city centre emerges where retail, catering, culture, leisure and attractive public spaces come together. The hospitality sector creates reasons to visit, extends the length of stays and turns city centres into places where people meet,” says the former Member of the Bundestag.
Thinking about commercial provision and public space as a whole
In light of the CIMA study, the DZG is calling on the federal government, the Länder and local authorities to pay greater attention to the economic conditions facing businesses when working to strengthen town centres. This includes, in particular, maintaining flexible employment models such as mini-jobs, more flexible weekly working hours, less red tape and reliable conditions for investment.
“We cannot, on the one hand, call for vibrant city centres and, on the other, place an ever-greater burden on those who bring that vibrancy to life. Strong city centres need a strong hospitality sector. Urban development and economic policy must therefore be considered together,” said Klinge.
