Percorso:ANSA > Nuova Europa > Croatia > Tourism:Carinthia, we feared sharp drop, we fell by only 15%
Tourism:Carinthia, we feared sharp drop, we fell by only 15%
Kresse, Tourist Board. 'Winter season? It will be hard."
01 October, 17:10
(ANSA) - TRIESTE, 01 OTT - "We feared a sharp drop (70%), and
instead, the summer season in Carinthia recorded a fall by only
15%. Our Land has had the best results in all of Austria. These
data are encouraging, and the season has held up quite well in
the whole Alpe Adria region. Thanks to the mix of sea,
mountains, good food, sport, and free time. It was also the
right formula for us". Christian Kresse, CEO of the Carinthia
Tourist Board. said in an interview with ANSA, during a meeting
with PromoTurismoFvg chief, Lucio Gomiero.
As for expectations for the autumn and winter season, according to Kresse, "it will be a tough period, also due to the severe restrictions imposed by the federal government".
There are hopes, however, "because for the first time in Austria there will be a general holiday from 26 October to 2 November - said Kresse - and counting on the fact that 54% of all European winter ski vacationers usually choose our country." "Austria closed to the tourist flow at the end of March, later than in Italy, and reopened in mid-May, while Germany at the end of June. So, for us, the summer lasted four months, also considering September, with an extension until October." "We started the season expecting a 70% drop, and instead, thanks to a good recovery in June, July, and August, we recorded a 15% fall, which was the best performance in all of Austria. Vienna had an 80% decline and other destinations around 30%. We have had negative numbers in the cities due to congresses' suspension and tourism arriving by bus, around 90%. We have been lucky because many Austrians have chosen Carinthia and also the reduction of tourists from Germany has not been as strong as expected".
"Contrary to what is expected, people have spent more on average in recent years. It seems to me that the same thing also happened in Lignano and Grado. People have spent more because they have saved on travel by choosing destinations reachable by car. About the origin of tourists, "we have had a reduction from both Germany and the Netherlands, but the decline has not been as strong as we expected. We generally have a ratio of 65% of tourists from outside and 35% from Austria. This year the ratio was 50 and 50. We have had a 90% reduction in some markets, such as from the UK or Scandinavia. We recorded a 66% decrease of Italians, who preferred to stay at home, as has happened to some extent in all European countries." What are your short-term goals? "We focus on September and October because we hope that, if the weather is good, those who have not taken a vacation in May or June will come for at least a few long weekends. Of course, we now have an increase in arrivals from Italy too, but things can change at any moment." Why is Carinthia so attractive? What feedback did you get from new entry tourists? "It was 90% positive. They felt safe above all. The online booking system has also grown".
Did the Austrians go on holiday abroad? "Croatia had experienced a drop in tourism from Austria when there were infections on the rise, especially because of the discos, and so many Austrians have chosen to come to Italy, particularly Friuli Venezia Giulia. Also, in this case, there have been reductions for economic reasons. In August and September, there were many Austrians in Grado and Lignano because we were not discouraged from coming, even because there was no increase in infections and efficient security measures.
There was a good flow in September because the tourist spots weren't overcrowded." What are your expectations for the coming winter season? "We expect tough times, also because there will be the same strict rules as there were in the summer, to ensure maximum safety for guests. Around 54% of winter vacationers from all over Europe come to Austria, all countries are looking at us, but the measures will be stringent, limiting places in hotels.
We are motivated to have a winter season as positive as possible, but it will be a hard job. But we want to keep people healthy. Even the Christmas markets will have many restrictions, without events, without parties. All in the name of safety first of all." (ANSA).
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As for expectations for the autumn and winter season, according to Kresse, "it will be a tough period, also due to the severe restrictions imposed by the federal government".
There are hopes, however, "because for the first time in Austria there will be a general holiday from 26 October to 2 November - said Kresse - and counting on the fact that 54% of all European winter ski vacationers usually choose our country." "Austria closed to the tourist flow at the end of March, later than in Italy, and reopened in mid-May, while Germany at the end of June. So, for us, the summer lasted four months, also considering September, with an extension until October." "We started the season expecting a 70% drop, and instead, thanks to a good recovery in June, July, and August, we recorded a 15% fall, which was the best performance in all of Austria. Vienna had an 80% decline and other destinations around 30%. We have had negative numbers in the cities due to congresses' suspension and tourism arriving by bus, around 90%. We have been lucky because many Austrians have chosen Carinthia and also the reduction of tourists from Germany has not been as strong as expected".
"Contrary to what is expected, people have spent more on average in recent years. It seems to me that the same thing also happened in Lignano and Grado. People have spent more because they have saved on travel by choosing destinations reachable by car. About the origin of tourists, "we have had a reduction from both Germany and the Netherlands, but the decline has not been as strong as we expected. We generally have a ratio of 65% of tourists from outside and 35% from Austria. This year the ratio was 50 and 50. We have had a 90% reduction in some markets, such as from the UK or Scandinavia. We recorded a 66% decrease of Italians, who preferred to stay at home, as has happened to some extent in all European countries." What are your short-term goals? "We focus on September and October because we hope that, if the weather is good, those who have not taken a vacation in May or June will come for at least a few long weekends. Of course, we now have an increase in arrivals from Italy too, but things can change at any moment." Why is Carinthia so attractive? What feedback did you get from new entry tourists? "It was 90% positive. They felt safe above all. The online booking system has also grown".
Did the Austrians go on holiday abroad? "Croatia had experienced a drop in tourism from Austria when there were infections on the rise, especially because of the discos, and so many Austrians have chosen to come to Italy, particularly Friuli Venezia Giulia. Also, in this case, there have been reductions for economic reasons. In August and September, there were many Austrians in Grado and Lignano because we were not discouraged from coming, even because there was no increase in infections and efficient security measures.
There was a good flow in September because the tourist spots weren't overcrowded." What are your expectations for the coming winter season? "We expect tough times, also because there will be the same strict rules as there were in the summer, to ensure maximum safety for guests. Around 54% of winter vacationers from all over Europe come to Austria, all countries are looking at us, but the measures will be stringent, limiting places in hotels.
We are motivated to have a winter season as positive as possible, but it will be a hard job. But we want to keep people healthy. Even the Christmas markets will have many restrictions, without events, without parties. All in the name of safety first of all." (ANSA).
