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The travel industry in Germany is facing a collapse due to the crown crisis. It is too early for concrete figures due to the late filing of bankruptcies, said the president of the Federal Association of the Tourism Industry of Germany (BTW), Michael Frenzel, the “Welt am Sonntag”. “But we surveyed just under 11,000 travel agencies and around 2,300 tour operators. After that, two-thirds of companies are threatened by bankruptcy in the short and medium term.”
According to BTW estimates, up to a million people across the industry, including the hospitality industry, are at risk of unemployment. “About 70 percent are already receiving short-term job benefits,” said Frenzel.
The economic situation in the industry had worsened catastrophically. “We not only lost almost eleven billion euros in sales in mid-June. To make matters worse, customers are making another three to four billion euros in claims for reimbursement,” said Frenzel. “We cannot accept the impending collapse of the industry.”
He noted that the tourism industry in Germany represents three million jobs and four percent of economic output. “In terms of importance, we are on par with the auto industry and machine manufacturers.”
Frenzel insists on a coupon solution for customer refund claims. Including a regulation of difficult cases and state protection against the insolvency of the organizer, this solution is “absolutely necessary and justifiable”. He considered that the negative position of the EU Commission on this issue is “a scandal”.
The federal government originally wanted to allow airlines and tour operators not to compensate their customers in the crown crisis by paying the purchase price for canceled services, but only with a coupon. The EU Commission rejects such regulation and refers to EU legislation, according to which there is the right to vote.
Schwesig demands a grant of 1,000 euros per employee
To save the industry in crisis, the Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Manuela Schwesig (SPD), demanded a subsidy of 1,000 euros per employee. “We urgently need an economic stimulus package for the tourism industry,” he told “Bild am Sonntag.” Almost no other branch of industry has been as affected as tourism. “And you can see that the industry will have to live with restrictions for a while,” said Schwesig.
Tour operator TUI wants to offer vacation trips to the Mediterranean again as soon as possible. He considers that the general travel warning of the Federal Foreign Office valid until June 14 “is not correct,” said TUI chief Friedrich Joussen of the “Bild am Sonntag”. In his opinion, it would be better “for each country or region, an individual evaluation”.
First cruises again since July?
His company has put together a “health check” for all vacation destinations. “We will only offer vacations where it is safe,” Joussen said. The first place was “certainly Mallorca”. “The hotels there have had a trial period, they can start immediately and accept guests,” said Joussen. Greece was just as good. , Cyprus, Croatia and Bulgaria prepared for summer tourism, but also Austria and Denmark.
On the plane, Joussen believes that it is correct to wear a face mask. “There will be no long queues, but temperature measurements where airports offer them.”
There must also be controls on TUI cruises. “We will be ready from July, but, like the flights, we need the approval of the authorities. The captains are working on new routes in the North and Baltic seas. There will be more days at sea, many love relaxation. real on the water. Probably up to 1,000 at first Guests on a ship. ” Corona test devices are said to be on board, and health personnel in the on-board hospital should be increased.
