The uncertainty for the winter sports industry is growing with the number of new corona infections.
(Photo: dpa)
Vienna / Paris / Sofia After the significant failures in the past ski season, vacationers and ski regions are counting on the new winter sports season – with requirements and different challenges for tourism planners. In view of possible travel warnings and a lack of seasonal workers, Austria is preparing for a difficult season.
France’s winter sports areas start under certain conditions. Bulgaria’s ski regions are not only struggling with the effects of the fourth corona wave, but also with rising energy prices. The past winter season was a total failure for most ski areas in Europe due to the pandemic.
According to the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, possible travel warnings hang like a sword of Damocles over the hotel and restaurant industry due to the currently high corona numbers. On top of that, around 8,000 to 10,000 seasonal workers would be wanted in the next few weeks, said the hotel industry spokeswoman for the chamber, Susanne Kraus-Winkler, of the dpa: “We have an employee market almost worldwide, so that the workers choose their positions very carefully.” Some hotels would have assigned several employees just to look for additional employees.
Another big problem is that up to 3,000 workers have been vaccinated with the Russian vaccine Sputnik V, which is not recognized in Austria because it is not approved. “We have been urging the federal government to take action here and, for example, to allow cross-vaccinations with other substances as proof of vaccination,” said Kraus-Winkler. There is also a problem with guests from Eastern Europe.
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Many hotels in Austria have long tended to have a 2G rule for vaccinated people and those recovered from Corona, as it will now apply from Monday. Better a safe season than no season at all is the motto, says Kraus-Winkler. After the failure of the 2020/2021 winter season, the consequences of which were partially cushioned by aid payments, many in the industry could no longer afford a second failed winter.
“That goes to the reserves,” said Kraus-Winkler. In the winter season, a lot is at stake for Austria, which is heavily dependent on tourism: “Confidence in the winter season product must not be shaken.”
Mask requirement in France, Bulgaria becomes a high risk area
Certain corona requirements apply to France’s winter sports areas. In queues at ski lifts and other gatherings, a mask and distance requirement should apply, Prime Minister Jean Castex announced on Saturday, according to the broadcaster France Info. The mask can then be removed in the ski lift.
Should the seven-day incidence – i.e. the number of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants per week – rise to over 200, the obligation to show the health passport with proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test (3G rule) also applies. The most recent incidence in France was 54 – in Germany on Sunday morning it was 191.5. Last season ski lifts were closed in France. According to the mountain tourism association France Montagnes, the loss in the ski areas was 1.4 billion euros.
From a German perspective, the EU country Bulgaria has been a high-risk corona area for two weeks. The seven-day incidence was last at 449.5. Bulgaria is at the bottom of the EU list with a good 24 percent of those over the age of 18 who are fully vaccinated. The low vaccination level is a deterrent for tourists, warned the Vice-President of the European Wellness Association ESPA, Sijka Kazarowa, on the state radio.
Bulgaria did not introduce the 3G rule, which is controversial in the tourism industry, until October 21st. This gives those vaccinated, tested and those recovered from Covid-19 with a “green certificate” access to bars, hotels, fitness clubs and shopping centers. No uniform corona regulation has yet been agreed for the ski areas. For the winter season 2021/22, the ski areas in the south of the country are also relying on local tourists and guests from neighboring countries.
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