FOCUS Online: Mr. Bareiß, will we ever be able to travel like we used to? Will Corona make long-term travel and cruises impossible in the long run?
Bareiß: Holidays will be different this year than usual. We will have to live with restrictions, with distance requirements and mouth protection. I think vacation is feasible this year, but we have to carefully weigh up health protection, the desire to travel and economic interests. Cruises, for example, will hardly be possible for the time being, too many people for too long in too small a space. However, there are already step-by-step plans for how this segment can continue in the coming years. We must also not forget the problems of bus companies that are significantly affected by the current situation.
Auto tourism growth expected
FOCUS Online: What about long-haul flights?
Bareiß: There are still many open questions. Some experts are convinced that the problem can be solved. For example, the air conditioning and rapid air handling can apparently protect against virus spreading in the aircraft. For various reasons, including cultural and political reasons, I would consider it harmful if no transatlantic flights were possible in the next few months. People are more likely to concentrate on shorter distances, especially on vacation, and individual mobility and the car will be of greater importance. This avoids contacts and gives a feeling of security. I am confident that summer vacations will be possible in Germany and in neighboring European countries.
FOCUS Online: And beyond?
Bareiß: We are currently working on concepts at European level, but also within the federal government, of how safe travel will be possible in the future. In the past weeks there has been an intensive exchange with my EU colleagues. Despite travel restrictions, I have the impression that we have moved a bit closer together. We share the responsible handling of the virus, but at the same time the desire for an economic ramp-up in the tourism industry.
Hope for travel destinations Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey
FOCUS Online: What are the specific prospects for trips that lead a little further away?
Bareiß: Greece, for example, is already very far here and prepares itself meticulously for the necessary security measures. Spain, however, is still struggling with the aftermath of the Corona crisis. We monitor developments weekly, and the first noticeable relief comes from June 15th. We also keep an eye on the strong travel destinations outside the EU. For example Egypt or Tunisia. But Turkey is also a popular travel destination. Without giving too much hope, but I take the view that if these countries have similar pandemic-fighting successes as Europe, I see no reason to stick to the tough measures.
FOCUS Online: Will the perceived threat threaten to permanently dampen Germans' desire to travel?
Bareiß: Realistically speaking, it will take some time before the original values are reached again. But I am convinced that the long-term positive trend remains. The need to travel, to experience other countries and cultures remains. Not only does travel relax, it is well known that it serves to promote international understanding. I myself have always learned a lot on each of my trips, whether to Asia or America, and broadened my horizons. I don't want to imagine what a world looks like in which people have to do without such experiences. In addition, Germany as a travel destination has many options.
FOCUS Online: If the Germans travel to their favorite travel destination, Germany, even more intensely, could bottlenecks arise?
Tourist bottlenecks in Germany cannot be excluded
Bareiß: Bottlenecks cannot be ruled out. But we have a very transparent market and the experts on site react very flexibly and quickly. In the case of particularly attractive attractions, distance rules must of course be observed. Good concepts are needed. In contrast, travelers will also be absent this year. So we had over 30 million foreign guests last year. Most of them fail this year.
FOCUS Online: Will the tourism industry therefore raise prices to compensate for lost income?
Bareiß: It is up to the provider to weigh this up. But I hope that travel will remain affordable for all budgets in the future.
FOCUS Online: Vacation apartments and houses are likely to be more in demand as accommodation options because they promise privacy and protection. But what about the hotel offer? What changes will be necessary there?
Big problems for wellness hotels
Bareiß: That is indeed a problem. Just keep in mind that many hotels and holiday resorts have invested considerable funds in wellness offers in recent years. Opening it again is currently a challenge. Amusement parks will also have to limit the number of visitors. However, I am confident that our companies have the innovative strength to think about new offers that take the changed situation into account.
FOCUS Online: Does German tourism need impulses for domestic business like a travel voucher for financially not so well off holidaymakers, which the Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder could imagine?
Bareiß: We must now weigh up any measures that can be helpful. However, the demand for vacation in Germany from Germany is likely to increase rather than decrease. In this respect, the Bavarian proposal aims at social compensation rather than state support for companies. The many small and medium-sized companies in tourism would be helped above all if we cut taxes, taxes and bureaucracy in general. That helps in the long run. We have to get there. The seven percent on food for gastronomy was a first important step.
Emergency funds planned for the hospitality industry
FOCUS Online: How should state aid continue now?
Bareiß: The existing aid packages have helped. However, we must now focus on the companies that have been affected by the crisis for longer. We are working on an emergency relief fund that will be open to all companies that now have to cope with a significant loss in sales for a longer period of time. This will benefit gastronomy, hotels, the trade fair and congress industry or, for example, showmen. We are aware of the particularly severe impact on travel agencies and tour operators.
FOCUS Online: What about your own vacation this year?
Bareiß: To my great regret, I already had to do without the usual ski vacation, which always gave me a lot of strength. As with many other customers, I initially waited to see how things would go. But now I also need a summer goal that I am working towards. My wife wants to go on holiday to the North Sea in Germany this year. I'm drawn to the mountains. My wife will probably prevail.