The situation for the global tourism industry remains critical: The Action Alliance for Tourism Diversity (ATV) welcomes the new nationwide COVID-19 regulations but points out the massive impact on the tourism industry
Hamburg/Unterhaching, December 6, 2021 (w&p) – The new nationwide COVID-19 regulations are sensible, but they will have serious consequences for the tourism industry. This is the view of the Alliance for Tourism Diversity (ATV), an association of 28 tourism industry organizations. Policymakers must be aware of their responsibility toward the more than three million people directly employed in tourism in Germany—a figure that does not yet account for the secondary and tertiary value chains. Partners in foreign destinations would also once again feel the immediate consequences of the latest decisions. The alliance points in particular to the situation in Africa, where travel restrictions due to the Omicron variant threaten to have devastating effects on the economy and food security for the population.
“During previous COVID-19 waves, it has repeatedly become clear that leisure travelers are not the primary drivers of the virus’s spread, and that organized tourism is not the cause of the current fourth wave,” emphasizes ATV spokesperson Michael Buller. “That is why political decisions must be made with care. The current rapid travel restrictions due to the Omicron variant are causing significant uncertainty among consumers. This has massive economic consequences for the global tourism industry, especially now during the peak booking season.”
“Many tourism companies are currently being forced to shut down again,” adds ATV spokesperson Petra Thomas. “Extending the bridging aid and short-time work benefits until the end of March 2022 will only help to a limited extent. This is especially true given that a drastic restriction has been imposed on short-time work benefits, as 50 percent of the benefits will now only be paid if employees participate in continuing education programs.” The current uncertainty is also affecting all travel destinations.
“Tourism businesses—and countries that have been severely affected, such as those currently on the African continent—must not be left to fend for themselves,” Michael Buller insisted. “COVID-19 restrictions like those in Saxony, where travel agencies were forced to close while all other businesses were allowed to remain open, are a slap in the face to the tourism industry. This amounts to yet another completely unjustified punishment of the tourism sector.”
The Tourism Diversity Action Alliance reiterates the call made in its position paper last September that a patchwork of differing state regulations must not be allowed to lead to uncertainty and chaos once again. Such regulations would have a detrimental effect on businesses in the tourism industry and their employees. What is needed is a unified COVID-19 strategy.
The industry must also be actively involved in revising the pandemic plan. “Over the past year and a half, it has invested heavily in effective infection control measures and remains committed to doing its part to prevent the spread of the virus. However, these measures must also be proportionate,” Petra Thomas emphasizes.
However, with the crisis task force that the new federal government plans to establish at the Federal Chancellery, the ATV considers one of the demands outlined in its position paper to have been met.
According to the coalition, numerous tourism companies are also facing the prospect of having to begin repaying their KfW loans. “In an industry as heavily impacted by restrictions as tourism, it is simply not possible to generate as much liquidity as will be needed in the near future,” warns ATV spokesperson Michael Buller. He calls for a rapid revision of the original programs, specifically a doubling of the loan term, repayment deferred until 2024, and a significantly reduced interest rate.
The tourism experts from the Action Alliance are also offering to meet with the new traffic-light coalition to share their years of expertise and jointly assess the impact of the new COVID-19 regulations on the tourism industry. “Unfortunately, the economic importance of our industry has been massively underestimated in recent years,” Petra Thomas emphasizes. “We hope to see significantly more action here and, above all, concrete dialogue with the new governing parties.”
The ATV position paper is available for download in both a long and a short version:
The press release is available for download here in PDF format.
About the Tourism Diversity Action Alliance:
The Action Alliance for Tourism Diversity (ATV) brings together 28 tourism industry associations and represents more than 10,000 companies that account for over one million jobs. The Action Alliance encompasses a broad cross-section of the German tourism sector. The common goal is to preserve the diverse tourism landscape. The alliance speaks with one voice to policymakers and the public and brings together the interests of the industry.For more information, visit www.tourismusvielfalt.de
On behalf of the representatives of the Tourism Diversity Action Alliance:
Petra Thomas (Spokesperson)
Managing Director
forum anders reisen e.V. – the Association for Sustainable Tourism
petra.thomas@forumandersreisen.de
Michael Buller (Spokesperson)
Board of Directors
Association of Online Travel Agencies (VIR)
Pressekontakt:
Marion Krimmer
Wilde & Partner Communications
Tel.: +49 (0)89 – 17 91 90 16
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