The final figures are not yet official, but the tourism industry can expect a deficit of 31 billion kroner due to the Coronavirus crisis, according to an analysis by the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Visit Denmark’s data.
There have been 44 per cent fewer overnight stays by foreigners, a 48 per cent decrease in hotel stays, and metropolitan and business tourism have suffered a 55 per cent decrease in turnover.
Between 40,000 and 44,000 full-time employees in the industry have lost their jobs.
According to the Minister of Trade, Dan Jørgensen, a national tourism forum is working on a strategy for sustainable growth in tourism with a focus on green and climate-friendly initiatives.
Regions less affected
Nevertheless, not everyone has suffered, as several Danes have been on holiday at home in the summer.
Between January and November 2020, 68 percent more Danes spent at least one night in a holiday home compared to last year.
German tourists also visited Denmark in large numbers last summer. Consequently, coastal and nature tourism will only see a 6 percent dip.
In total, accommodation with catering for tourists brought in DKK 56.1 billion, compared with DKK 132.5 billion in 2018.
How long and how well? Broad vaccine study initiated by hospitals
An ongoing study conducted by researchers from the hospitals Rigshospitalet, Herlev, Gentofte and North Zealand will assess the effectiveness of the vaccines administered in Denmark. The results of the large study, which primarily measures antibodies from hospital staff and thousands of patients, will be ready by 2023. The key questions will include: how long are the vaccines effective, can a vaccinated person carry coronavirus and make them work?
Coronavirus claims first infant death
The Statens Serum Institut has confirmed that the coronavirus has claimed its first victim in less than ten years. The child already had serious health problems. No one aged 10-30 has yet been killed by coronavirus, and only five people aged 30-39 have died and four people aged 40-49. In the 24 hours to yesterday afternoon, 397 new infections have been registered.
Furlough is strongly down in the spring of 2020
According to a survey among Danish Industry members, companies have halved as many employees as they did during the spring lock in 2020. In week 2, the member companies – which together employ around 600,000 people, who account for 30 percent of Denmark’s private workforce – reported that they had sent 23,000 workers home against 48,000 in week 19 last year. “It is surprising when you consider that the closure is just as extensive this time, and that there are also extensive restrictions in many other countries,” commented DI’s Deputy Secretary General, Steen Nielsen. “But there is not the same shock effect. The first shutdown brought about sudden and colossal changes. ”
Tripartite agreement on compensation approved by Members of Parliament
Parliament yesterday approved stricter rules for the compensation scheme, which will require furloughed employees to take more regular and shorter holidays, which were agreed on 14 January as part of a tripartite agreement between trade unions, employers and the state. For example, the furloughed employees must take one day off during their first three weeks (from 18 January) and then one day every four weeks thereafter.
Dubai flight ban extended
The ban on flights from Dubai, which was implemented on 22 January, will continue until the Ministry of Transport is convinced that it can stop infected people entering Denmark. An announcement on additional test and isolation requirements and their law enforcement is expected soon.
Bred cdeepening of corona pass
Danish Industry, together with a number of other key players, has been invited by the government to contribute to the development of a corona pass, which enables professionals whose work depends on travel to resume taking trips as soon as possible. Input has been requested from several cultural entities along with business ones. If everything goes according to plan, passports will be launched via Sundhed.dk at the end of February.