At the request of the subscribing associations, Aviation Direct will publish the following open letter free of charge. This is not part of the editorial offer. The author is solely responsible for the content:

"Dear Mr. Federal Chancellor Kurz,
Dear Mr. Vice Chancellor Kogler,
Dear Mr. Finance Minister Blümel,
Dear Minister of Tourism Köstinger,

we are stunned, horrified and more than desperate! Travel companies have been calling us since Friday evening, this morning we learned from the WKO that the travel industry will apparently not be officially closed from November 17.11.20, XNUMX and will therefore not receive any compensation for sales.

The travel industry with over 2500 companies has reimbursed ALL MONEY to customers for canceled trips due to Covid 19. This means that in addition to the 95% loss of sales since March of this year, the travel industry has also paid the costs from the previous year.

For almost 9 months we representatives (ÖVT / ÖRV / WKO) have been in constant contact with the BMF and BMLRT, and we have also asked the Vice Chancellor's cabinet for support a number of times.

Dear Mr. Federal Chancellor, you personally promised us support specifically for the travel industry in a video call on June 18.06.2020, XNUMX.

Since then, there has been a back and forth between the BMF and the EU Commission, just as far as the FKZ is concerned.

Regardless of this, the travel industry has not had any sales up to now, since travel cannot or may not be booked and will not be able to generate any sales in the foreseeable future.

This affects not only the outgoing business, but also the incoming area. Incoming business accounts for no less than 5% of the almost 30 billion euros in sales!

At the November closure - Lockdown Light - the travel industry was again not taken into account, even our efforts as an "indirectly affected industry" were not heard. The congress organizers and coach operators were taken into account.

With the current lockdown from November 17.11.20th, 4 the travel agencies / tour operators can allegedly keep open - although travel for tourist purposes is forbidden and any contact with people should be avoided - see PK of the federal government "there are XNUMX reasons to leave the house"!

The travel industry is without a doubt the main victim of the effects of the pandemic and it is precisely this branch that urgently needs financial support with the replacement of sales.

In fact, the travel companies are again exempted from this, as there is apparently no official closure.

The gastronomy, hotels with 80% sales replacement in addition to the FKZ and KUA promotion (and delivery service sales are also not taken into account), now the trade and service providers - yes even the gambling establishments - with up to 60% sales replacement are supported by the federal government - only the travel agencies / tour operators do not.

How should we justify this to the companies? We are constantly receiving inquiries as to whether this corresponds to the constitutionally guaranteed principle of equality.

It is absolutely understandable that all companies in the travel industry feel unequally treated and let down. For the last 8 months, the entrepreneurs have relied on and trusted us, representatives of the interests of the federal government.

Dear Federal Chancellor and Vice Chancellor,

On behalf of the 2.500 companies and 10.000 employees, we appeal for your implementation - please keep your promises and arrange for travel companies to be equated with tourism and trade.

So far we have almost forced our colleagues to refrain from any demonstration, always assuring that our government will help. In contrast to Germany, where there was loud demonstration and, accordingly, aid was approved for the travel agencies.

So far, we have not received any industry-specific help in any way.

We ask for the equality of the other industries and financial support through the November sales replacement regulation in addition to the FKZ and KUA.

Note: In just under 2 weeks, double the salaries are due, you have to act now.

Together with the tourism minister, you have promised a special aid package for the travel industry. We stakeholders have passed this on to the companies.

The Austrian tourism experts believe and rely on the federal government, especially in these extremely difficult times, we should not disappoint. With today's unclear regulation, a complete disappointment would be inevitable.

With desperate and hopeful greetings

Phillies Ramberger, President ÖVT / Austria. Association for tourism
Dr. Joseph Peterleithner, President ÖRV / Österr. ReiseVerband
Mag. Gregor Kadanka, Chairman / Association of Travel Agencies ”