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Hallstatt is known for its picturesque beauty and its location at the base of a mountain in Hallstatter.
It was only three months ago that a postcard tourist town begged people to stay away.
Hallstatt, located in the Austrian Alps, had been invaded by more than 10,000 visitors per day.
Hordes of travelers descended on the town, overwhelming the local population of 800, thanks in part to the hit movies. Frozen and Frozen 2. The Unesco World Heritage Site is believed to be the basis of Arendelle in Disney films.
The village’s fame began when a popular South Korean program introduced it in 2006. Later, a Chinese billionaire decided to remake Hallstatt in his own country. Then came Frozen, and its sequel.
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In January, Mayor Alexander Scheutz was reported to have said that was enough. He begged people to stay away.
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The Unesco World Heritage Site is believed to be the base of Arendelle in the Frozen films.
“Hallstatt is an important piece of cultural history, not a museum,” he said. Sun. “We want to reduce the numbers by at least a third, but we have no way of stopping them.”
However, a few weeks later, there was a way to stop them “Covid-19”.
Austria acted quickly in the face of the impending coronavirus, closing borders and enacting policies of social distancing. But now, those who depend on tourism want a relaxation of the strict laws. Quarantines were recently lifted at three of the best ski resorts in the country.
One option that is being floated is to open the border with Germany. Although tourists from Austria’s neighbor would help in some way, most of Hallstatt’s previous visitors came from Asian countries, and it could be some time before travelers from that part of the world start traveling again.
Local businessman Markus-Paul Derbl said the village needs support.
“We at Hallstatt, of course, are 95 percent dependent on foreign guests … from Asia, America, England and the surrounding European countries,” he said. Reuters
“If the borders remain closed, it will be very, very difficult to keep businesses running smoothly.”
European leaders have been discussing the possibilities of opening “tourism corridors” between EU member states. Italy, strongly affected, has suggested agreements with Austria, Germany and Switzerland, since they represent 35 percent of foreign visitors to the country, reports the Daily telegraph.
Mayor Scheutz hopes that the town’s name recognition will encourage more European visitors.
“I think we have a name and we are known, and of course we are happy when guests come from Germany,” he said. Reuters
“If I had to make a prediction (for the summer) it would be a very sad, bad one, but I am an optimistic person: the landscape is beautiful, we are a World Heritage site, the people are welcoming.”
