As a hotelier, Kurt Baumgartner explains that the lockdown has effectively put us into a blind flight overnight. "Regardless of the easing of restrictions, this blind flight will continue and will shape the immediate future," he adds. The primary problem here is not that hotel operations had to be shut down by the state. These were allowed to continue to receive guests in Switzerland during the lockdown, but almost all of them stayed away. Understandably, the Swiss dutifully stayed at home while foreigners did not even enter the country due to the de facto closed borders. The coronavirus pandemic is becoming a major challenge for hotel businesses because it is shaking the current pillars of tourism. It is possible that no stone will be left unturned in the travel industry, but reliable forecasts are not really possible. This uncertainty is the reason for Baumgartner's blind flight.

Outdoors and nature are becoming more important

However, Kurt Baumgartner assumes that the 2020 summer season will take place. "Various measures will continue to keep us busy on a daily basis. Social distancing and hygiene will be major challenges for hotels," says Baumgartner. The focus for guests will shift to topics such as the outdoors and nature. "This means that mountain biking will also play a major role. I am confident that regions with an attractive bike offer will benefit," he adds. Baumgartner himself has been focusing on this clientele for years with his hotel businesses in Scuol.

The increasing importance of nature will not only determine tourism for the period immediately after the pandemic, but will change it permanently. There will be a reawakening of peripheral tourist regions. Goms, Bergell and Val Müstair could become more important in the post-corona period due to changes in traveler behavior patterns. The pandemic also offers Switzerland the opportunity to win back guests and young families in particular. "Mountain biking in the Engadine mountains instead of swimming on a Greek island," says Baumgartner, looking into the crystal ball. Home and the familiar are becoming more important in tourism at the expense of cruises and the "Ballermann".

But before the opportunities can be exploited, the hotel industry must continue to fly blind, says Baumgartner. There are still too many question marks and it is important to prepare for the 2020 summer season with the necessary flexibility and confidence.

Kurt Baumgartner manages the hotels Belvair, GuardaVal and Belvédère in Scuol and was named "Hotelier of the Year" in 2018.