Omikron, the corona virus variant that has already led to new lockdowns and upheavals in other EU countries, is also what makes life difficult for domestic tourism and leisure businesses. Pubs and hotels have only just been allowed to unlock again (the lockdown in Upper Austria ended on December 17th) and there are already fears that the next major lockdown could be in the middle of January. “It will be a very difficult season”, in which flexibility and short-term responses will also be required in tourism. “It will be driving on sight,” said Achleitner. However, whether a new lockdown will actually be essential is anything but fixed.
So put the positive in the foreground. What is certain is that in a lot of houses where there is usually no chance of vacant rooms just before Christmas and New Year’s Eve, there are still rooms available this year. Because guests are planning their winter vacation at very short notice in times when a lot is in the balance . “They’ll call the day before whether there’s still a room tomorrow,” said Andreas Winkelhofer, head of Upper Austria Tourism. Like Achleitner, he is confident that “despite all the challenges” a good season is possible. The fact that the number of overnight stays rose sharply last summer gives cause for optimism. “In July, August, September and October in particular, we were close to the figures from before the crisis,” said Winkelhofer.
“People long for leisure time experiences in nature. They feel the need to do something for the soul. ”And if this is possible again, as it is now,“ the encouragement is back very quickly, ”said Achleitner.
And Robert Seeber, the federal division chairman for tourism and leisure, emphasized once again that everything is done in the companies for a safe holiday. The applicable 2G rules would be consistently monitored in all companies (“except for a few black sheep”).
Source: Nachrichten
