Tourism partially recovered from the pandemic in 2022. Nevertheless, the state government draws a mixed balance sheet. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the industry remains under pressure.
Schwerin (dpa / mv) - Economics Minister Reinhard Meyer sees further burdens despite the recovery in the tourism industry. "Although the economic situation of tourist businesses improves, especially in the busier summer months, the situation remains tense overall," said the SPD politician on Wednesday. The area has not yet reached the pre-pandemic level.
The ministry refers to data from the State Statistical Office, according to which the number of overnight stays up to September was 28 percent higher than in the same period last year, but slightly below that of 2019. By the end of the year, the minister estimates a figure of 30 million overnight stays as realistic.
Meyer believes that a stronger focus on the pre- and post-season is necessary. It is not enough to rely solely on the strong summer months. In addition to the challenges posed by the pandemic and the energy crisis, the state government also sees the changing habits of guests as a factor: "The short-term booking behavior in particular is causing problems for the industry. This also makes personnel and goods planning in tourism companies more difficult".
In order to alleviate the shortage of skilled workers, which is also noticeable in tourism, the minister advocates the establishment of a tourism academy: "The recruitment and securing of tourism skilled workers can only succeed together with the participation of the economy in the state," said Meyer. You need my modern, practical training and further education. First of all, the content of the planned academy should be discussed before a possible location is mentioned.
