Powder has fallen by tens of centimeters over the Austrian Alps in recent weeks. Some stations have already prepared slopes but the crowds are not crowded. Because since November 22, the entire country is experiencing its fourth confinement, imposed due to the exponential number of Covid-19 contaminations. "
This was very bad news, but it was not unexpected
," comments Christian Schützinger, director of the tourist office of Vorarlberg, the border region with Switzerland where, among others, members of several royal families come to ski.
But perhaps this lockdown comes at the right time to stabilize the situation before the winter season is in full swing.
"
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The Austrian government could lift the restrictions on December 11, if the number of new infections drops significantly - it was over 15,000 a day by mid-November, and is currently below 9,000. Meanwhile, the stations that have opened can accommodate day skiers, as they did last year. The rules of confinement indeed provide for the right to relax in the fresh air and a large part of the ski lifts are assimilated to means of public transport, which obliges them to function. However, hotels, tourist accommodation, bars and restaurants are closed until further notice. “
We have mainly a local clientele at the moment, but it's far from crowded
», Continues Christian Schützinger, adding that at the start of the season, the number of tourists is still relatively low.
Winter, the prime season in Austria
However, the blow is hard and the uncertainty remains high after last season, reduced to nothing due to the epidemic context. In Austria, winter accounts for almost two-thirds of the turnover of the tourism sector, or nearly 15 billion euros in 2019. But professionals remain confident, especially since the State has largely supported them during the crisis. “
I don't know of any business, hotel or restaurant that has gone bankrupt,”
emphasizes Leo Bauernberger, director of the Salzburg region tourist office.
Some took advantage of this period to modernize the infrastructure, whether to redo rooms or build ski lifts. These investments show that we are entering this new winter with confidence.
"
The announcement of containment has certainly led to cancellations around Christmas time, to which the sector continues to respond with great flexibility. But the reservation rate remains quite high. "
We think we can open before the holidays, and as soon as that is known, reservations will resume,
assures Leo Bauernberger.
Perhaps the confinement will be extended for a week. The number of infections must drop anyway. What gives us courage is that the summer season was very good and that we did not have any contamination in the establishments. We can also compare with what has happened elsewhere. In Switzerland, hotels and restaurants remained open last winter, and we did not notice a sharp increase in cases.
"
Strict health protocol in the mountains
The health protocol remains strict for ski trips: people over 12 must be either vaccinated or cured of Covid-19 to benefit from it.
The health pass is considered valid only if the second dose was injected less than 9 months ago.
Beyond that, a booster dose is necessary.
Tests alone, whether antigenic or PCR, are no longer accepted.
Children are not affected by this health pass, and a solution is being sought for adolescents aged 12 to 15 years.
Read alsoSki and sanitary pass: Austria, Switzerland, Italy ... What are our neighbors doing this winter?
In ski lifts and public places, wearing an FFP2 mask is also compulsory.
“
All of this is controlled, and we also apply contact tracing,”
says Leo Bauernberger.
We have already seen this summer that this is not a problem.
90% of the tourists who came had already been vaccinated two or even three times.
So we remain optimistic.
In the coming days, all ski areas will open.
The snow is excellent, and we are very well prepared to really start the season.
"
