Sticking to the 3G rule creates competitive disadvantages for travel agencies and the hotel industry. In addition, there would be no objective justification for such a harsh measure.

"After 2 years of massive restrictions, tourism must finally get some air to breathe again. In the current situation, the 3-G rule is no longer acceptable for foreign guests who want to vacation in Austria or for Austrian travelers returning," criticizes Gregor Kadanka, chairman of the Association of Travel Agencies in the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ).

The pandemic situation has not only eased in Austria. Most of the countries of origin and travel countries currently have even lower incidence figures than Austria, the trend is clearly pointing downwards everywhere. “So where is the factual justification for this restriction? We hope that the Minister of Health will give in here, otherwise our only last resort is to consider a review of the proportionality of the regulation through legal channels, ”continued Kadanka.

Susanne Kraus-Winkler, Chairwoman of the Hotel Industry Association, takes the same line. “The entry restriction through the 3-G rule actively creates a competitive disadvantage for incoming tourism and thus also for all Austrian hotels. Such a tough, far-reaching restriction requires an objective justification - there is no such thing in this case," Kraus-Winkler urged the Minister of Health to abolish the 3G rule in good time before the summer to prevent the incoming Tourism and the Austrian hotel industry suffer the next avoidable damage.