The Bavarians are not allowed, the Tyroleans from May 21st: transport guests for the cable car to Germany's highest mountain.
That causes incomprehension.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen - The fight between the mountain railways and politics - somehow it symbolizes many problems of this corona pandemic.
With a tailor-made hygiene concept, those responsible at Bayerische Zugspitzbahn AG had guaranteed impressive summer operations in 2020, transporting 500,000 people to the mountains around Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
“Without infection” - that is important to press spokeswoman Verena Altenhofen.
An art that local restaurateurs, hoteliers and tradespeople also claim for themselves. "We were demonstrably not a pandemic driver", Daniel Schimmer, the local chairman of the catering and accommodation industry, happily repeats. Now it is getting really absurd: Because Austria loosens up, opens up. The Tiroler Zugspitzbahn will start operating on May 21st. And the Germans have to watch. "We are a mountain, a destination," emphasizes Altenhofen. "That's frustrating."
Schimmer formulates a clear conclusion: "Politicians have learned nothing from the past year." A conclusion that not only imposes itself on him after the decisions of the past few weeks that continue to put openings for the tourism industry on the back burner. With incidences over 100 under the seal of the federal emergency brake even now fixed until the end of June. “We would be ready,” says Matthias Stauch. The board of the BZB has to look at the new but empty train station of his company from his office every day. "Painful. Now we can only watch how thousands of hikers and mountaineers come to the mountain regions every day. ”Without guidance. Altenhofen also refers to this. “We could do that, restrict entry, like we did last summer.“But as it is, the masses stream towards the summit - with all of the sometimes unpleasant consequences.
The hope of getting something from the spring business is very small. As is well known, it looks different with the Tyrolean neighbors. Massive openings are planned there from May 19 - under strict hygiene measures. The Zugspitzbahn in Ehrwald announced the opening two days later. A fact that even the Bavarian colleagues point out on social media. "We have a very good relationship," emphasizes Altenhofen. Ultimately, the Bavarian company also benefits from the guests who reach the mountain via the Tyrolean side. “Especially with the ski tickets, but also with the gastro.” The ski area is completely on German territory. The offer on both sides basically seems to be well coordinated. Because the Austrians also offer a museum and a snow crystal world."Normally, everything complements each other perfectly."
But the pandemic has its own laws. In the first lockdown in spring 2020, the border on the mountain actually had to be closed. On the Bavarian side a small metal door, a gate. The Tyroleans can cordon off their area with a door at the end of the covered corridor. “We had to do that because of the complete closure of the border,” emphasizes Stauch. He is also not interested in competing with his colleagues or wiping them out. "We only close the door when we have to do it because of the regulatory framework." Nobody can currently estimate that - three weeks before the opening in Tyrol. "But if, for example, temporary entry is possible for a few hours, the border remains open." Good neighbor, so to speak.
Openness and common sense, which those responsible in Germany also want from the state. "We are dependent on politics," explains Altenhofen. "We always hope, but nothing happens." Also in financial terms. Because: State aid beyond the November and December compensation is still not in sight. Because the Zugspitzbahn is a municipal company. After all: The money for November and December is flowing. It's 6.15 million euros. Compensation for lost sales. An impressive sum. At first glance. But it loses its radiance when you illuminate it more closely. “Our annual turnover is around 50 million euros,” explains Stauch. Winter and summer are roughly in balance. “So we lost around 25 million this winter.“And that's just sales. In addition, there is the expense for fixed costs. "From January until today we are not entitled to any further help today."
Many companies will soon no longer exist, presumes Stauch. At the Zugspitzbahn, the condition is not yet threatening. Over the past few years we have "eaten ourselves a bit of summer fat". But now it's time to get to these reserves. The longer politics bans the tourism business, the more difficult it becomes - for everyone in this industry.
