The coronavirus has arrived in Italy and Austria

Berlin. The spread of coronavirus in Europe last week has had an impact in the economy in general and on tourism in particular. Dark clouds are gathering ahead of upcoming mega-events in the industry. Today, Friday, the crisis team of Germany’s Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of the Interior will deal, among other things, with the effects of the corona outbreak on the world's largest tourism trade fair, the ITB in Berlin. The pressure is growing. For the IHIF Berlin and MIPIM in Cannes the first big exhibitors have cancelled. The trade fair organisers therefore stand before some tough decisions: What’s more important – responsibility towards people or towards profit? The travel-happy coronavirus/COVID-19 is rapidly turning into a global game changer.

Beijing. The novel coronavirus Covid-19 threatens both human life – and that of the economy. The impact is felt immediately by the hotel industry, which once again reveals itself to be one of the most volatile industries of all. Occupancy in affected and key destinations has all but collapsed and stands at close to 1%: Many cities are ghost towns. How are the hotel groups reacting behind the scenes? How do they respond to a crisis whose outcome cannot be predicted? How do you secure cash flow? Executives of chains and people living in China have given their answers to these questions. We quote from letters to owners and describe the concern for employees. A snapshot of the current situation.