The hope now lies in Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Because despite the state aid, every fifth hotel in Vienna had to close, followed by the last lockdown to date. Vienna is the only country in Europe that does not open up, said the head of the hotel industry, Dominic Schmid: “That means we have lost our reputation and the guests no longer dare to book.”
The overseas market has collapsed completely. There are occasional guests from Austria and neighboring countries, said Vienna’s head of tourism, Norbert Kettner: “It’s very frustrating for everyone involved. We hope that we will return to normal at least in the new year. ”In Schönbrunn, the main tourist attraction, one looks to the near future: There one hopes that more guests will come again in the coming days after the opening.
The surrounding area benefits from the Viennese
Regardless of when they open: All businesses open into uncertainty, said gastro division manager Mario Pulker. He therefore called for clarity on the extension of the five percent sales tax and the New Year’s curfew. In addition, there are many other challenges, such as the opening in Vienna as the last federal state: “There is huge frustration, especially in Vienna, where the last one is allowed to open – despite the lowest incidence,” said Pulker in an interview with the APA.
The Viennese restaurateurs cannot benefit from an open Sunday before Christmas, on which retailers are exceptionally allowed to open their shops. The city government argued with a pandemic “equalization” of the flow of people. Pulker, on the other hand, believes that some innkeepers in Vienna won’t even open the door before Christmas because of that.
“Above all, Vienna is not a Gallic village, many Viennese people move to the surrounding area – so now to Burgenland and soon to Lower Austria”, says Pulker. The surrounding gastronomy could thus benefit from more Viennese arriving. The gastronomy in Lower Austria opens on Friday.
Payouts are too late
There is also sharp criticism of the state Corona aid agency COFAG. “There are more and more bankruptcy filings because the COFAG payments are not made on time,” said Pulker. Pulker received support in his demand for quick payouts from Viennese gastronomy chairman Peter Dobcak, hotel division manager Dominic Schmid and coffee maker chairman Binder. The designated Viennese ÖVP boss Karl Mahrer asked for the Viennese restaurateurs and hoteliers to provide their own help from the City of Vienna – “as soon as possible”.
A particularly hot topic for restaurateurs is the sales tax rate that has been reduced to five percent on food, drinks and overnight stays. This expires at the turn of the year – but should definitely be extended, demand the catering and hotel industry. And you also want to know quickly which opening options are available for New Year’s Eve. There is currently a corona curfew of 11 p.m. “We are in favor of opening up the catering trade. People don’t go home at 11 p.m. – no, they’ll celebrate at home without 2G controls and clusters will emerge again, ”warned Pulker.