Heinisch acknowledged that the travel business might now be doing 30 to 35% better than it did at the same time in 2020, but emphasised that the true reference period for the sector is 2019, so the time before any pandemic-related restrictions.
At the moment, agenices are still 20% below their pre-pandemic rates, which is mostly due to fewer cruises, fewer long-distance trips, and fewer business travels.
Since 30 June this year, travel agencies no longer receive pandemic-related support from the government. Heinisch praised this decision and the overall support from the respective Ministry, noting that not a single agency was forced to close over the last two years.
Although he described himself as an optimist, Heinisch admitted that it is impossible to predict how inflation and the energy crisis may affect travels in the future. Prices for the upcoming winter holidays have not increased, he further promised.
