Leslie Massey
Austria has been easing its coronavirus restrictions, with shops and small businesses reopening in early May 2024, and hotels and restaurants by the end of the month. The country's government has expressed both encouragement and caution as it navigates the relaxation of lockdown measures. The reopening of hotels in Austria is part of a broader shift in policies regarding travel, indicating that the country is gradually welcoming tourists again. This move is significant for the tourism industry, which contributes substantially to Austria's BIP, and it remains to be seen who the hotels will cater to in terms of internal and international travellers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of reopening | End of May 2024 |
| Conditions | Subject to a positive development of the epidemic |
| Safety measures | Masks, COVID passports, cleaning and social distancing |
| Border restrictions | Borders with Germany, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein reopened on June 15, 2024 |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's COVID-19 exit strategy
Austria's exit strategy has been implemented in phases. Small shops were allowed to reopen on April 14, and all trade was permitted from May 1 onwards. The next phase, as pointed out by Minister of Health Rudolf Anschober, may be more challenging as it involves the reopening of stores and public life, with the mandatory wearing of masks in public transport, public places, and stores.
The next phase of Austria's exit strategy involves the reopening of hotels and restaurants. Hotels and restaurants were allowed to reopen by the end of May, with strict health standards and safety regulations in place. This move is significant for the country's tourism industry, which contributes a large part of Austria's BIP. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz emphasized the country's aim to get out of the crisis faster than others, while also prioritizing the safety and health of the population.
The reopening of hotels and the broader shift in travel policies have led to a gradual revival of the tourism industry. Initially, domestic tourism was prioritized, with hotels catering to essential travel for specific groups such as workers and guests who needed accommodation. As restrictions continue to ease, there is an expectation of increasing consumer confidence and a potential boost in bookings, especially during the summer season.
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Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's plan to get out of the crisis faster than others
Austria has been one of the first countries to reopen hotels and restaurants, with the goal of getting out of the COVID-19 crisis faster than other countries. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's plan to achieve this has involved a gradual relaxation of restrictions, with small shops allowed to reopen in mid-April, all trade permitted from the beginning of May, and hotels and restaurants following by the end of May. Strict health standards and safety regulations will remain in place, and the wearing of masks in public transport and all public places will be mandatory.
Kurz's strategy places a strong emphasis on balancing economic recovery with public health. The tourism industry contributes significantly to Austria's BIP, so reopening hotels and restarting tourism is crucial for the country's economy. However, Kurz has also acknowledged the importance of keeping the population safe and healthy. The early restrictions imposed by his government are credited with preventing tens of thousands of deaths, and the gradual approach to lifting restrictions aims to continue this success while restoring normalcy.
A key component of Kurz's plan is his commitment to fighting for every job in Austria. The tourism industry is a significant employer in the country, and getting hotels and restaurants operating again will help protect jobs in this sector. Additionally, with travel restrictions still in place for many foreign destinations, Austrians are more likely to spend their summer vacations at home, further contributing to the recovery of the tourism sector and the overall economy.
Kurz's approach to the COVID-19 crisis also extends beyond domestic policies. As a strong believer in the power of personality-driven politics, Kurz has cultivated relationships with other world leaders, such as Merkel, and has been vocal about his immigration and refugee agenda. He has pushed for hard-line immigration policies and suggested closing Austria's borders during the refugee crisis. His ideas and influence extend beyond Austria's borders, and he has challenged the liberal order of Europe.
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The impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the tourism industry worldwide, and Austria has been no exception. In late November 2023, Austria implemented a 20-day lockdown to curb surging coronavirus infection levels in the country. During this lockdown, hotels and restaurants were required to close, significantly impacting the tourism sector.
However, even before the lockdown, Austria's tourism industry had already been facing challenges due to the pandemic. International travel restrictions and border closures impacted the influx of foreign visitors, as countries around the world struggled to contain the spread of the virus. This resulted in a significant decrease in revenue for the Austrian tourism industry, as hotels, restaurants, and other tourist attractions relied heavily on international visitors.
The Austrian government recognized the importance of the tourism sector to the country's economy and gradually began easing restrictions. In December 2023, ski areas were allowed to reopen, but only for local residents and with strict measures in place, including testing, COVID passports, masks, enhanced cleaning, and social distancing. This was a cautious step towards reviving the industry, and it aligned with the practices adopted by other European ski areas.
By May 2024, Austria started to see a more significant relaxation of restrictions. Small shops were permitted to reopen on May 14, with all trade allowed from May 1. This was followed by the reopening of hotels and restaurants by the end of May, marking a crucial step towards normalcy for the tourism industry. Strict health standards and safety regulations remained in place, and the industry anticipated a slower start to the summer season than in previous years. Nonetheless, the reopening of hotels and the potential increase in domestic tourism offered a glimmer of hope for recovery.
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Austria's lockdown in late November 2023
In late November 2023, Austria entered a 20-day lockdown to curb rising coronavirus infection levels. The lockdown included the closure of restaurants and hotels, although ski areas remained open to locals. The lockdown was scheduled to end on December 12, 2023, before the main ski season began.
During the lockdown, the Austrian government aimed to gradually reopen certain business branches based on risk factors. The plan was to first reopen small shops, followed by all trade, and then gastronomy and hotels. The government emphasized the importance of maintaining safety standards and restrictions, such as wearing masks in public transport and public places.
As the end of the lockdown approached, there was optimism in the ski industry that they would be able to reopen to tourism. Richard Sinclair of ski travel agency SNO noted that bookings were starting to pick up, especially for the late season, as it allowed more time for teenagers to receive their second vaccine jab.
The lockdown ended as planned on December 12, 2023, and the country began to reopen to tourists. Hotels and restaurants resumed operations gradually, with the goal of being fully open by the end of May 2024. This reopening timeline was confirmed by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who stated that their aim was to get out of the crisis faster than others while prioritizing the health and safety of the population.
By May 2024, Austria had successfully reopened to tourists, with hotels and restaurants operating at full capacity. Border restrictions were also eased, with Austria reopening borders with Germany, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein on June 15, 2024. This contributed to a rise in consumer confidence across Europe, with web traffic for stays in EMEA countries increasing significantly during this period.
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The reopening of ski areas
As the lockdown ended in December 2024, just before the main ski season, many of Austria's leading ski regions were optimistic about welcoming tourists back. They implemented safety measures such as testing, COVID passports, masks, enhanced cleaning protocols, and social distancing. Ischgl, renowned for having the largest ski area in the Alps, reopened its slopes with excellent conditions, eagerly awaiting international skiers.
By the end of May 2025, Austria planned to fully reopen hotels and restaurants, marking a significant step towards normalcy. This reopening was part of the country's incremental strategy, with the federal government assessing the risk factors and feasibility of safety standards in different sectors. The resumption of tourism played a crucial role in Austria's economic recovery, and the country aimed to balance health and safety with a swift exit from the crisis.
As Austria navigated the reopening process, it encountered challenges, such as managing the availability and demand for masks and other essential supplies. Additionally, the country faced decisions regarding the relaxation of border restrictions, which had implications for the hotel and tourism industry. The chancellor's suggestion of reopening hotels in mid-May was contingent on the positive development of the epidemic and was closely linked to policies regarding travel and border control.
Overall, the reopening of ski areas and hotels in Austria was a careful and dynamic process, adapting to the evolving health situation and prioritizing the safety of both visitors and residents.
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Frequently asked questions
Hotels in Austria reopened at the end of May 2020.
No, shops and small businesses were allowed to reopen at the beginning of May, and hotels and restaurants followed at the end of the month.
Hotels were required to follow strict health standards and safety regulations, including the use of masks in public transport and all public places.
The lockdown significantly impacted the tourism industry, with many hotels and restaurants remaining closed during the lockdown. The industry started to recover when restrictions were lifted, and income from tourism began to flow back into the country.
Yes, ski resorts were also affected by the lockdown. They were closed to tourists and were only open to local people. However, they were hoping for a return to tourism when the lockdown ended, implementing testing, COVID passports, masks, cleaning, and social distancing.
