Alpen-Wirt sounds the alarm: prices are exploding – boycott demanded!

Alpen-Wirt sounds the alarm: prices are exploding – boycott demanded!

It's boiling in the Bavarian Alps. A hut owner from the Allgäu region recently complained about the exorbitant prices in mountain huts in a viral Instagram video, triggering a wave of outrage. Almost 500,000 people have already watched the video and were outraged by the high prices for simple snacks and drinks. The innkeeper, who describes himself as a restaurateur who makes serious calculations, lists some of the most outrageous examples in his clip: A simple lard bread costs an impressive 14.90 euros, and cold drinks can cost over 5.90 euros. You can also encounter beer prices of six to seven euros. The tz reports that he offers significantly fairer prices in his own hut, for example for a Spezi (0.5 L) only 3.80 euros, a beer for 4.50 euros or a mixed snack for 14.90 euros.

But the criticism doesn't end with the Allgäuer Wirt. Tom Waibel, restaurateur at Fischerhütte Tannheim in Austria, also expresses his concerns in a similar vein. In one Report at picture He emphasizes that the prices for cold drinks, which are often over 5.90 euros, and beer prices between 6 and 7 euros are not justified. Waibel also criticizes the often advertised regionality and quality, where in reality many huts work with frozen goods, while excessive prices are charged for simple dishes such as Kaiserschmarrn or lard bread.

The solidarity of the hikers

Users on Instagram support the Allgäuer Wirt's appeal and report similar experiences in other regions. Many are annoyed by the high prices; around 24.50 euros for a small snack is unbearable for many hikers. This has given rise to private initiatives that collect recommendations for huts with fair prices in order to offer hikers a real alternative.

The discussion about pricing is a hot topic not only among guests, but also in the catering industry itself. Waibel emphasizes that most of the innkeepers in the region are serious and concerned about the well-being of their guests. Nevertheless, the existence of “black sheep” who damage the good reputation of the gastronomy is regretted. He calls for a return to a pricing policy that reflects the quality of regional products and offers fair prices for everyone.

A call for a boycott

Both restaurateurs agree on their call to boycott overpriced restaurants. They advocate that restaurants in the mountains expect guests to pay a fair price that also reflects the location and quality. The chairman of the Gastronomy Association in the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, Alois Rainer, meanwhile defends the higher prices because, in her opinion, the unique view and the idyllic location should also be taken into account in the pricing. However, it remains to be seen how prices will develop in the future and whether the pressure from guests and landlords will lead to a fundamental change.