Municipalities – Hanover – Health spas for state aid Grateful: Some are still in need – Panorama
Bad Zwischenahn (dpa / lni) – The spa and healing towns have suffered from the pandemic, but are now benefiting from growing domestic tourism. “Tourism started up again quickly, especially on the coast, but there are also places inland that are still suffering,” said Ilka Lemkemeyer, office manager of the Lower Saxony spa association in Bad Zwischenahn.
One is grateful for the so-called equity guideline, according to which there were grants from the state of Lower Saxony for the years 2020 and 2021. “That helped a lot,” said Lemkemeyer. In addition, one benefits from Germany tourism, which has attracted everywhere. A current analysis by the association for the list of health resorts has shown that offers should be developed on topics such as long Covid and outpatient preventive services, for example for problems with the musculoskeletal system or burnout.
Bad Münder am Deister in the district of Hameln-Pyrmont is one of the health resorts that have not yet emerged from the crisis despite subsidies in the past two years. “The booking numbers are better, but we are not yet at the level of 2019,” said Thomas Slappa, managing director of the spa. Reluctance can still be felt both in the clinics and among private guests.
This is also true of the events: the target group of older and less healthy guests is simply still friendly. “We are satisfied that we do not have a lockdown, but we are suffering from the effects of the pandemic,” added Slappa. Although a good summer is expected, the wish for further support has also been expressed.
The financial situation of Bad Bevensen in the district of Uelzen is still extremely tense. “We passed a budget in which we are in the red at 1.2 million euros. And that as a municipality with an annual turnover of ten million euros,” said City Director Martin Feller. He put the loss after two years of the pandemic at 3 to 3.5 million euros, among other things due to the lack of visitor’s tax and the tourism flat rate. Because of the war, there are many Ukrainian children in the community who also need to be cared for. The kindergarten places are not enough, a container solution is initially being considered as an extension. There would also be costs of around 500,000 euros.
Ten years ago, the health resort in the Lüneburg Heath had a debt of ten million euros. With the help of the state, the consolidation will be achieved in 2019. But then Corona came. A surprising number of young people are currently being drawn to the small community for extended periods, as well as cycling and health tourism. “That is our hope,” said the Green politician Feller.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:220618-99-709330/2