Berlin still far from pre-pandemic tourist numbers

cement cord stretching in front Brandenburg Gate perhaps the best thermometer in the German capital’s tourism sector. The monument is one of the most emblematic of the city. Before that herds German and foreign visitors to take pictures and selfie. In addition, strategically located representatives of tourist guide companies and drivers rickshaws in the hunt for customers.

On a Thursday this August morning, dozens of tourists from different nationalities are already traveling through the legendary space of Berlin. But the panorama is far away. typical crowds at this point in the year before the pandemic. Thilo, a driver rickshaw The author, who has made a living by pedaling for nine years, confirms the suspicions: Tourism in Germany’s capital has rebounded from the last two summers, but is far from reaching 2019 levels. He tells EL PERIÓDICO, a newspaper that is part of the Prensa Ibérica group, and this media as tourists pass by.

this public life restrictions The last two years have been a blow to many small and medium-sized entrepreneurs of the industry. many drivers rickshaw They left that job to make a living in other industries, such as government-funded coronavirus testing centres. The rising inflation since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been the last straw for some. managed to survive the pandemic. Overshadowed by the Brandenburg Gate, Thilo says, “I had to increase my fee to 25 euros for half an hour, but I don’t have much of a problem as my clients are usually high incomes”. The sun itches in Berlin.

price of inflation

Statistics from the Berlin Government leave no doubt about the recovery: the number of visitors to the German capital exceeded one million last June, representing an increase of 250% compared to the same month of the previous year. Overnight stays also exceeded 2,700,000, up 236 percent year on year.

The total number of visitors in 2020 and 2021, the years most marked by restrictions, is approximately ten million. In 2019 alone, before the start of the pandemic, nearly 14 million people visited the German capital, with over 34 million overnight stays. As such, the industry is heading towards recovery to pre-pandemic levels, but clouds are on the horizon. Inflation is one of them.

“Many tourists are ticket discount or they use the €9-a-month ticket to catch a public bus instead of our buses directly,” explains Lena, an employee of one of the city’s main tourist guide companies, in front of the historic Reichstag building. The rise in prices affecting Germany – with 7.5% inflation in July – also hurts tourism. “There is a clear improvement over previous summers,” admits Lena, “but companies in this space have to cooperate with each other to survive”.

“Warm Autumn”

this price increase It affects not only the amount of money tourists leave on their holidays, but also the spending of companies. “Our revenue is facing much higher costs than before the crisis caused by the coronavirus, especially due to the rapid rise in gas and energy prices,” says Guido Zöllick, president of the German Federation of Hoteliers and Restaurateurs (DEHOGA). The Federal Statistical Office, Destatis, points to a 25% loss in revenue volume between January and May of this 2022 due to the rise in prices.

this energy crisis The situation Germany faces due to the reduction in Russian gas supplies threatens to worsen from this autumn, when companies will start paying for heating costs and energy consumption will increase. drop in temperatures. The media and politicians do not hesitate to use the phrase “warm autumn” in the face of a possible wave of social protest.

Despite the undeniable improvement in the number of visitors registered this summer, these prospects are not particularly optimistic in the Berlin tourism sector. Gas rationing, German economy minister and vice chancellor, green Robert Habeck already put it on the table. For now, the government in Berlin has already imposed energy restrictions. One is to keep the lighting of public buildings and city landmarks off, such as the Cathedral, town hall or Victory Column. The symbolic Brandenburg Gate has been freed from this austerity measure for the time being.

Source: Informacion

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