published29. May 2022, 9:57 p.m.
In Europe, almost all corona measures have fallen, now many want to travel once more. Consultations in travel agencies are in demand, which is why the employees are now doing extra shifts. Nevertheless, they advise booking early, as prices might continue to rise.
Now many want to go on vacation once more.
20min/Celia Nogler
That’s why the tour operators are on the attack.
imago stock&people
After almost two years of corona measures, the rush for summer holidays is great. “Now people want to leave once more,” says Christian Laesser, professor of tourism at the University of St. Gallen, to 20 minutes. But many are still unsure regarding Corona, which is why advice in travel agencies is now particularly in demand.
However, there is a shortage of skilled workers at travel agencies, like the “Sunday Newspaper” writes. Like the airlines, tourism professionals have recently Easyjet or many restaurants cut staff during the doldrums in the Corona crisis, according to Laesser. Therefore, the travel agencies are now overloaded with the rush.
Around 2,000 jobs were cut during the pandemic. Many vacancies have not yet been filled since then, as Walter Kunz, Managing Director of the Swiss Travel Association, told 20 minutes. Now the need for advice has increased massively, he confirms.
Employees work extra shifts
So far, however, it has had no effect on customers, Kunz assures, since overtime is being done outside of opening hours. The employees make a remarkable effort, as a Kuoni spokesman says for 20 minutes.
But according to tourism expert Laesser, detailed advice is often not required. Many airlines like Swiss have good information regarding the current travel and corona conditions on their websites. “Everything is green in Europe now anyway. You just have to be aware that things can change quickly and therefore follow developments,” says Laesser.
