There was a complete collapse last year. Now the king of cross-border trade is finally getting a boost.
– It was about time. I think it should have happened before, but it’s very good that it’s coming now. This is very good news, says Olav Thon (97) to Nettavisen.
Prime Minister Erna Solberg (H) stated on Wednesday that Norwegians will finally be able to start traveling to Sweden again, without being quarantined, during June, according to NRK. The condition is that you have already been fully vaccinated.
Also read: Solberg: Norwegians can travel to the Harry trade again in June
Two vaccine doses
Solberg says that the infection pressure in Sweden and how far one has come in the vaccination in Norway, will be what determines whether one can travel across the border without being quarantined when one returns.
Just over one million Norwegians have now received two vaccine doses.
Also read: Olav Thon against the Oslo City Council: – I can not understand it
The announcement is very good news for the Thon group, which owns the shopping centers in Charlottenberg, Töcksfors and Nordby. These had a turnover of almost NOK 10 billion in 2019, but fell to NOK 1 billion as a result of the corona virus.
According to Thon, the turnover at our three shopping centers has gone from almost 10 billion to one billion, a fall of ninety percent.
Also read: Olav Thon: – We are doing well without so much state support
“Fortunately, the Olav Thon Group has good resources and we have refused rent to tenants who are struggling, but it has been very heavy, not least for employees who are laid off,” says Thon.
Hotels
Thon also owns one of Norway’s largest hotel chains, and says he is relatively optimistic on behalf of the hotel summer, despite the fact that there will be significant travel restrictions this year as well.
“It looks good and we have many bookings, and also new hotels in Svolvær and Ålesund, so it will be good. At the same time, if we are to be a little negative, it will probably take some time before the hotel industry is back at the same level as before. Bookings for courses and conferences are still scarce, says Thon, who
The 97-year-old is otherwise in good shape, despite an unusually tough year financially.
– I’m probably not as active in the cross-country trail as before, but it’s going well now. Sissel (Thon’s wife Sissel Berdal Haga Thon, editor’s note) is in very good shape and is amazing, and helps with design and things like that, he says.
Advertising
Guide: Our favorites for walks in Norwegian forests and fields
–
