All members of the union, which brings together professional organizations such as travel agencies, guides or camp and spa operators, have agreed that the situation is critical. According to the Association of Hotels and Restaurants, it is Prague 60 percent of tourism in the Czech Republic.

The number of foreigners decreased

CUCR members point out that various restrictions due to the coronavirus and tens of thousands of jobs are still at risk. The president of the association, Viliam Sivek, stated that in 2019 more than 8.4 million guests arrived in Prague, of which about 6.8 million were foreign tourists. “In the first half of this year, it was less than 1.9 million guests. There were just over 286,000 foreigners. It is clear that such a decline is driving down the whole of Czech tourism, “he warns.

Guides are losing their jobs

The Association of Guides of the Czech Republic also warns that more than a third of Czech guides have already lost their jobs, which are expelled by foreigners with a so-called 1st degree card. He usually requires a qualification.

ČUHR also regularly points out that foreign tours that travel agencies come here must long without state support. According to Jiřina Mašič from the Association of Travel Agencies of the Czech Republic They are now the agency for basically the second year with profits at zero AND no improvement expected Until next spring.

Buses cannot go to the center

Entrepreneurs also complain that the development of tourism hinders various obstacles. They cite one of the problems, for example restrictions on the entry of buses into the center of Prague. This year, the city management will approve the release of the rules for issuing permits, which will be given, for example, to facilities for the elderly or accommodation facilities.

However, according to carriers, this may not always lead to an improvement in the state of the air, which was one of the reasons for introducing new rules. “The current change of entrances in Prague means, for example, that in congresses instead of one minibus for 24 people meeting the EURO6 ecological standard, which will bring guests from the congress hall, at least six taxi cars will run. That’s it does not make sense, “Said Jiří Vlasák from the Tour Bus Rescue Initiative. According to the initiative, for example, issuing and checking exemptions online could help.

Union: We want to discuss

The Union of Entrepreneurs wants to help set up a “ecosystem” of tourism in Prague. On the contrary, he warns that without functioning services, tourists will simply move to other cities.

“We therefore call on the Mayor of the City of Prague to act together, which will remove some nonsensical barriers and at the same time increase the income of organizations established for cities.. Together with this association, we are ready to help improve the ecology of tourism in the capital, which was, and always will be, the gateway to the Czech Republic. It was already twelve in five minutes, “warn Jaromír Polášek, Executive Vice President of CUCR. In general, the Union also complains that tourism still remains on the fringes of political interest.

Mushroom: We’ll listen to you

This year, for example, the In Prague at Home campaign, which attracted mainly domestic visitors during the summer, helped to develop tourism. The My City – Discover Prague project was also launched last week.

According to Mayor Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates), the city management, for example, dealt with the situation of tourists intensively with the government several times. Negotiations on the state of tourism are not hindered. “If the representatives of the Czech Tourism Union contact me, I will be happy to listen to them in the presence of Deputy Adam Scheinherr (Prague himself), who is responsible for transport in Prague, “he told Blesk.