Salzburg ski areas expect a quick “normal” season
The winter season 2021/2022 can take place, the rules have been known since Wednesday. After a period of uncertainty, the regulation is now available. From November 15th, ski guests must present a 3-G certificate in order to be able to purchase a ticket. For a season ticket you have to have recovered or have been vaccinated, otherwise you have to present a negative test every new day. Unlike in the previous year, a mask no longer has to be worn when queuing outdoors, it is only necessary in gondolas or in chairlifts with covers.
These are the rules for winter tourism
The ski season is just around the corner. Therefore, Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein (Greens), Tourism Minister Elisabeth Köstinger (ÖVP) and Tyrolean Governor Günther Platter (ÖVP) die …
Optimistic view of the season
The local cable car operators and tourism experts are generally optimistic about the upcoming season. “The booking situation has so far been very good, now that the general conditions are known. There is interest,” said Erich Egger, cable car branch spokesman and board member of the Schmittenhöhebahn in Zell am See (Pinzgau), in an interview with SALZBURG24 on Thursday. He hopes to start operations in late November or early December.
Bad vaccination rate: “An entire industry is suffering”
For the course of the winter season, however, the infection situation is decisive. And this is currently causing the poor vaccination coverage for nervousness. Egger would like more pressure, compulsory vaccination for certain groups is also conceivable. “An entire industry is suffering,” argues the cable car operator. The situation is different with international ski guests. According to Egger, 95 percent of these are vaccinated, surveys show.
Obertauern: “Almost normal” season
The mood in Obertauern (Pongau) is similar. “The mood is definitely positive, there are signs that we can expect a quick ‘normal’ season”, Obertauern Tourism Director Mario Siedler told S24. The desired 3G regulations can basically be implemented, even if some are not entirely understandable. “Why do you have to have a 3-G certificate in the elevator, but not in the bus,” says Siedler with astonishment.
Hesitation among ski guests?
The booking situation for international guests from the main markets of origin, Germany and the Benelux countries, is very promising. A hesitation is not necessarily to be seen in the bookings. “But many know that if they come to Obertauern outside of the main travel times, they can get a room at relatively short notice,” said the tourism expert. The start of the season is planned for November 18th, provided that the snow conditions permit. The official start is on November 25th.
Winter tourism starts into an uncertain season
After the corona-related total failure of the past winter season, the tourism industry will run through this winter with the “3-G rule” and make vacation possible. However, that is with “…
Ten million euros for advertising
In order to attract ski guests to Austria, a lot of money is invested in advertising. The tourism marketing organization “Österreich Werbung” is injecting ten million euros into campaigns for winter holidays in Austria. This is the highest amount the organization has ever spent on a winter campaign, the APA reported on Tuesday.
If the infection situation does not change significantly, the domestic businesses will have a largely normal winter season ahead of them.
(Source: SALZBURG24)