Bad Schandau (dpa / sn) - Cash instead of loans: According to Saxony's Tourism Minister Barbara Klepsch (CDU), the hospitality industry in Saxon Switzerland, which has been affected by forest fires, needs help quickly. "We have to discuss additional quick help within the government. You don't need loans, you need quick liquidity," said Klepsch on Tuesday evening after a meeting with representatives of the Dresden Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the German Hotel and Restaurant Association in Bad Schandau. It is important to have easier access to short-time work benefits and to increase them as in the pandemic.
Lukas Rohleder, General Manager of the Dresden Chamber of Industry and Commerce, described the current situation of restaurateurs and hoteliers as precarious. The Corona years, the inflation and the looming energy crisis not only left nerves on edge, but also liquidity was almost exhausted. "Now in the summer and in the fall, the money is earned to get through the winter." You definitely need an increase in short-time work benefits. "I hope that the state government will find ways and means to be able to make this increase."
According to State Secretary for Economic Affairs Thomas Kralinski (SPD), Saxony also wants to use instruments from the corona pandemic to support the entrepreneurs affected. Corona aid, if it is already being paid back, should be deferred. That brings relief. For everything that goes beyond existing programs, you first need a real database.
The tourism industry in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains is currently having to accept numerous cancellations due to the forest fires and fears that this effect will last for a long time. Therefore, there is great concern that some companies will not survive this phase.
