Anti-corona measures presented: Ischgl sees itself ready for the ski season

Status: October 19, 2021 3:42 p.m.

Ischgl canceled the previous winter season for safety reasons. In 2021/22, a security concept should start again in the former Corona hotspot. The German tourist resorts are also recovering.

Accompanied by extensive anti-corona measures, the Austrian winter sports resort Ischgl starts this year’s winter season on November 25th. The cable car cabins would be disinfected with cold fogging devices, said the local tourism association. The same method is also used daily in the ski buses as well as in sports shops, ski depots, toilet facilities, elevator cabins and the first aid stations, it said. Camera systems are intended to optimize waiting times at the cash registers and lifts by means of density measurements and mobility analyzes.

“The aim is and will remain to be one of the safest destinations in the Alpine region for our guests,” said Alexander von der Thannen from the Paznaun-Ischgl Tourism Association.

The official official regulations for the upcoming season are still missing. It is foreseeable, however, that the 3G rule (tested, vaccinated or recovered) will apply to ski operation and that an FFP2 mask will be required at least for cable car cabins and in closed areas.

The party mile became a hotspot

Ischgl, with around 11,000 guest beds, is known for its party scene. In the first Corona wave in March 2020, the place was one of the first hotspots to hit the international headlines. The authorities are said to have reacted too late to clear indications that the corona virus is rampant in Ischgl. Numerous tourists – many from Germany – had been infected and brought the virus back to their home countries. There are currently around a dozen claims for damages against the Austrian state.

Germany’s tourist spots are recovering

German tourism also wants to benefit from the relaxing corona situation. Business in this country has been up and running again since the summer, and relaxation is becoming apparent. The corona crisis led to significant slumps, but also offered the opportunity to interest many Germans in Germany as a tourist location. said Reinhard Meyer, President of the German Tourism Association (DTV) tagesschau24.

Business, especially on the coast and in the Alps, went really well in the summer. “We are also seeing high bookings in autumn.” The situation in city tourism is still more difficult, as there are no trade fairs or events. Meyer did not dare to predict when domestic tourism would return to pre-crisis levels and emphasized: “We absolutely have to prevent another lockdown.”

According to the latest data from the Federal Statistical Office, the number of overnight stays in August was only 3.1 percent below August 2019. Compared to the previous month, which was marked by the Corona crisis, they rose sharply by 13.7 percent. Because of the pandemic, in some federal states an overnight stay ban for private travelers was in place until June. From January to August inclusive, there were 15 percent fewer overnight stays than in the same period of the previous year.

The association is demanding a national tourism strategy from the future federal government as well as a federal government representative who is exclusively responsible for tourism. “Should rescue aid continue to be necessary in autumn or winter, the new federal government must not refuse to extend short-time work benefits and bridging aid,” said Meyer.

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