The pandemic mainly limited attendance at the metropolis. The airport has been “empty” for a year – ČT24 – Czech Television
The director of CzechTourism, Jan Herget, hopes that before the summer the situation will calm down and tourists will start traveling again, not only to Prague. “We are currently preparing for the summer season. We are preparing all campaigns. We believe that there is a chance that borders will open and especially from countries such as Germany, Poland, Slovakia, but also Hungary or the Netherlands, tourists will arrive, “he said.
On the other hand, CzechTourism wants to focus more on Czech tourists, Herget thinks that Czechs will visit domestic places again this year to save and start businesses. “In the more distant countries, these will be maintenance campaigns so that we do not disappear from the market,” he described the agency’s plans.
Prague is one of the places with the largest concentration of hotels, restaurants, cafes and bars. It was in these companies that the operation also stopped due to the pandemic. Many entrepreneurs have even closed down. According to the consulting company Bisnode, about one hundred thousand self-employed people interrupted their business in the whole Czech Republic last year, which is about half more than in 2019.
Empty hotels and restaurants
Especially due to the lack of tourists, accommodation facilities have big problems. For example, Hotel Adria Prague has no guests staying at the moment. Once in 2019, the hotel had a turnover of about 77 million crowns, last year it was only 13 million, the number of employees decreased by nine, but the hotel itself did not lay off any of them.
“I thought right from the start that we could just stand it. It never occurred to me that we would finish. ” Both of these establishments operate in a limited mode, Doubek hopes that the Adria Hotel will soon “stand on its feet”.
However, some companies in Prague were able to cope very well with the restrictions due to coronavirus. For example, the owners of the wine bar temporarily closed the restaurant and turned it into a shop where, in addition to wine, it also offers cheese, pastries and cold cuts. “It’s such a thing that gives our loved ones that we live, because the other restaurants are mostly closed here,” said Vínograf co-owner Jan Horešovský. However, the company also focused on online sales, in cooperation with other companies that offer completely different goods.
Is it possible to earn even during the covid?
Some companies launched a number of innovations during the covid. In the last year, the Prague Innovation Institute has started operating in the capital, which aims to connect the business world with the public and academic spheres. According to the innovation manager for Prague, Tomáš Lapáček, it is very difficult for companies to start developing and manufacturing new products at this time. “At the same time, however, there is every opportunity and opportunity. A lot depends on how good an idea you have, “he pointed out. According to Lapáček, it does not even matter where the entrepreneur works in Prague, the business plan is crucial.
In addition, the new products themselves can contribute in the current situation, says Lapáček. “The time after the pandemic will show structural changes – how we meet, how we communicate, how we spend our free time. Companies that have built their business on distance issues are going up, “he said, adding that the institute appreciates the fact that it is very good at acting in a given situation at start-ups.
Despite all efforts, the number of unemployed in Prague gained almost fifteen thousand. In addition to services, a lot of redundancies, for example in the administration, some office buildings in the capital Practically orphaned. “A lot of companies reduced their activities, so they also needed to restructure,” said Jaroslava Rezlerová, CEO of ManpowerGroup CR and Slovakia, noting that more redundancies can still be expected.