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The tourism industry in Italy is longing for the return of vacationers. After the opening of the border, the first German travelers ventured over the Brenner Pass.
By Elisabeth Pongratz, ARD Studio Rome
"Finally, finally, we waited a long time. Now the borders are open. Off to Italy," says Frieder Georg. In the evening Georg left Munich to cross the border to Italy on time at midnight. With his wife Viola, he is now visibly happy next to his car, on Italian soil. "I'm really happy to be here."
The two have owned a house in the Marche region of eastern Italy for 20 years - they don't have a queasy feeling when they travel there. Italian friends told the couple in advance about loosening and how, for example, the shopping situation is on site. "I don't worry too much either. A lot of it is very similar to what it is in Germany," says Viola Georg.
In fact, similar rules apply in Italy as in Germany, sometimes tougher. The most important rule is: keep your distance - whether strolling through the city, sightseeing or on the beach. The breathing mask is mandatory indoors, in many places the visitor's data is noted down in order to be able to contact those present in the event of a possible infection. You also often have to make reservations beforehand, for example in the Vatican Museums.
Booking is especially important for hotels: Many accommodations had closed until recently due to the unsafe situation and can only now prepare for the reopening.
Despite the difficult circumstances, Germans set out to cross the Brenner Pass by car, station wagon or motorhome, Christian Seehauser from the Lanz motorway service area in South Tyrol says: "It seems that it is normalizing."
The weeks-long lockdown following the corona pandemic has almost completely shut down economic and social life in Italy, the consequences are already serious. Many lost their jobs and are dependent on food aid.
A lot depends on tourism. Lorenz Oberhuber from the Sporthotel Gossensass - which is a few kilometers from the border - has been allowed to open again since May 11th, but: "But before the borders open, we also feel that there is little movement here." Oberhuber hopes that this will improve with the opening of the border.
Around 13 percent of tourism in Italy contributed to economic performance before the corona pandemic. You can also feel this in the mood here. Almost everyone is happy about the opening of the border and new visitors. In South Tyrol in particular, politics allowed early easing, given the low number of infections.
The hoteliers have to observe certain regulations: "The one-to-ten rule applies in the house itself. Ten square meters per person. It should not be used to a higher degree," said Oberhuber. In addition, disinfectant dispensers would have to be made available in all accessible public areas and mouth protection should be worn where necessary.
Some guests are already sitting in front of his hotel, drinking their coffee. Local people. Soon there could be more vacationers from the north. At least that's what they hope for here
