Distance, mouth protection, a lot of disinfectant: Hotels can again receive tourists. How it works and why operators do not expect a rush of guests.
Since the catastrophe in Bavaria was announced in mid-March, only business travelers have been allowed to stay in hotels, and from now on tourist overnight stays are again permitted – with numerous hygiene rules and restrictions. The Würzburg hotels are prepared, but do not expect a big rush in the coming weeks.
“We have two guests over Pentecost. So far, the next weekends will look the same,” says Claudia Amberger-Berkmann, who is the third generation to run Hotel Amberger on Ludwigstrasse. This is partly because it has only been clear for two weeks that tourism in Bavaria can start again, and partly because “people are unsettled because they do not know what they are allowed to do and what they are not allowed to do”.
Photo: Patty Varasano
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Locations may only be visited until 10 p.m., all major events – from the wine village to the Africa Festival to the city festival – have been completely canceled. “What should tourists do in Würzburg in the evening at the moment?” Asks Amberger-Berkmann. She is the district chair of the hotel and restaurant association and assumes that the rest of the year will be very difficult for her and her colleagues, despite the easing.
A lot of preparation in advance
The hygiene regulations required for opening are numerous and have done a lot of work: This includes more space in the foyer, many information signs, a plexiglass pane and sufficient pens at the reception, because each pen must be disinfected immediately after one use, just like the room keys. In the rooms, guests will not find any information brochures or a well-stocked mini-bar: “If a guest wants to have a drink, he has to come to the reception”, says Claudia Amberger-Berkmann.
“If a guest wants to have a drink, they have to come to the reception.”
Claudia Amberger-Berkmann–
Of course, the mask requirement applies throughout the house – only in the room and at the table in the breakfast room are guests allowed to remove their mouth and nose protection. Open breakfast buffets are not permitted: “This is only permitted with packaged goods and the guest must wear disposable gloves. We will also offer a to-go breakfast.” In addition, more personnel are required to implement all hygiene measures in daily operation.
Ruler for distance measurement
After all, the interior renovation that has been going on since the beginning of the year has become easier for the Maritim Hotel an der Friedensbrücke with the installation of new lines. In the hotel foyer, the paths and waiting areas are clearly marked with sufficient distances, at every corner the guests are made aware of the applicable regulations. “You have to take the ruler, apply the regulations to the existing architecture and ensure that a hotel guest moves in such a way that other guests and staff are not endangered,” reports hotel director Andreas Havlik.
In the hallways and stairwells of the one-way arrangement would even have been possible: “This contradicts any movement logic with guests with their luggage and ignores the reality of life.” The sauna, swimming pool and fitness facilities may not yet be used, the hotel bar is closed, the conference business is on hold. “Small things are regulated, but it is still not clear in Bavaria whether you can rent a conference room or not,” said Havlik. In the meantime, he has noticed a “slight revival” in the reservations: “However, the ease of travel and the charm that Würzburg normally makes are missing.”
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