News & Stories
Rome. Italy approves a third decree to support the suffering tourism industry. The new "Decreto Sostegni" is funded by 1.66 billion euros and dedicated to companies and local entities hit by the pandemic in 2022 most seriously.
Wiesbaden. Denmark, Sweden and the British have effectively declared Corona over, other countries are starting to relax their previously varying strict rules, switching from 2G to 3G, for example. Meanwhile, wherever you look, the incidences are increasing immeasurably. In Germany, therefore, each federal state continues to do what it thinks is right. A rough overview.
Beijing. Dictatorship and Omicron do not get along: Some Chinese experts doubt that the Chinese government will be able to keep the virus variant away from the Olympic Winter Games, which start today. On the contrary: The rigorous zero-Covid strategy could even drive the country against a wall and cause millions of deaths. Experts are watching nervously; the hotel industry in Beijing will also be facing the most difficult first quarter in the current corona pandemic.
Beijing. It is well known that you cannot do business in China without having the goodwill of the Party. But how comprehensive and corrupt the system is and how exactly it works was not known until now. With his book "Red Roulette", the Chinese author Desmond Shum now presents an explosive insider's account of the country's economic elite.
Vienna. In Austria, Omicron and the high-risk status have been causing empty beds and coffers since the turn of the year. The state aid measures no longer work because of the contradictory tightening and loosening policies. The economic situation of many hotels is hanging by a thread. Consolidation is likely to take its course soon.
Brussels. Although the Omicron wave is spreading rapidly, the European Council is encouraging travellers through numerous travel facilitations. In parallel, the World Tourism Organisation has released recent figures on the impact of the covid pandemic on international tourism. Things are moving, but it still remains bitter.
Barcelona. The Spanish city's urban development from 2017 has been replaced by new rules trying to allow controlled hotel growth and securing the residents' rights to access their homes in the city center. Barcelona's hotel industry shows understanding.
Bern. Hospitalisation and occupancy of intensive care beds in Switzerland is easing, yet the Swiss Federal Council is extending the 2G+ measures until the end of March and the quarantine obligation until the end of February. Now several rules apply in one property.
Rome/Madrid/Brussels/Amsterdam/Paris. This Christmas and winter season is worse than 2020. The frustration of hoteliers as well as industry associations in Italy, Spain, France, Belgium and the Netherlands is growing. Everyone sees one thing: politics reacts overnight, with rigorous surprises, ever-changing rules and little will to react appropriately. The fear of Omicron, in fact, increases the actionism. Our correspondents report.
Berlin/Vienna/Bern. The turn of the year has not led to the hoped-for Corona relief in the DACH region, but to further restrictions and more chaos. The industry is sounding the alarm and has now definitely reached the limit. Politicians are only marginally listening to them.