WKÖ travel agencies and hotels for the end of 3-G when entering Austria
Kadanka and Kraus-Winkler: Set the course now for a successful summer season – in order to be able to score points in the competition between destinations
Vienna (OTS) – “With the last noticeable decrease in the number of infections, it is now time to adjust the entry regulations for Austria accordingly and to abolish the affected 3-G rules. Many other countries in Europe, such as Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland or the United Kingdom, have already taken this step and now feel like they have guests from abroad. With its strict entry regulations, Austria clearly has a disadvantage here,” describe Gregor Kadanka, chairman of the Association of Travel Agencies, and Susanne Kraus-Winkler, chairman of the Association of Hotel Industry in the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ), the current situation on the European tourism market.
A WIFO analysis published today shows how important the best framework conditions are for the expected summer season. Accordingly, the fundamentally positive prospects for tourism in Austria suffered a sudden setback due to the outbreak of war in the Ukraine. According to WIFO, the framework conditions are deteriorating again and negative effects on the demand for holidays in Austria must also be expected.
Kadanka: People’s desire to travel is huge – it shouldn’t be slowed down unnecessarily
“Nevertheless, after two years of the pandemic, many people have a great desire to travel,” says Gregor Kadanka. “We must therefore quickly adapt those factors that we can influence to tourism. The abolition of the 3-G rule for entry into Austria would be a necessary step in order not to fall behind compared to the European competitors during the individual months. Covid measures should also be reconsidered within Austria in view of the falling number of cases,” suggests Kadanka.
“We find ourselves in a competition between destinations. In order to be able to score points here, optimal framework conditions must be created for our companies”, Susanne Kraus-Winkler also supports the call for the abolition of the 3-G entry regulation. “In the coming weeks and months, the validity of the majority of booster vaccinations will also expire. Since there is still no recommendation for a fourth vaccination, the abolition of the 3-G entry rule before the summer season is a logical and necessary consequence.”
In addition to the upcoming summer season, incoming tourism and the Austrian hotel industry are already turning their attention to autumn: “We are currently still seeing a great deal of reluctance to make bookings for autumn, for example for congresses. In order to take away the uncertainty from customers and guests and to create the appropriate planning security, a Corona concept of measures should probably be planned and securely communicated for a possible autumn/winter wave,” Kadanka and Kraus-Winkler clearly demand. (PWK143/ES)
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