Few seem to hesitate to go to the Jämtland mountains despite the rapid spread of the coronavirus. Destination Funäsfjällen and Skistar facilities are completely full – and that is welcome
”"It is important that people dare to travel to the mountains because it is our survival in the long term," says Director of Health and Medical Services Maria Söderkvist.
Destination Funäsfjällen rents out accommodation in several locations in the region and has approximately 30,000 beds. All are currently occupied. In addition, there are a number of other facilities and privately owned homes that are rented out. Almost all guests come from Sweden.
”"With a few exceptions, it is completely booked. The booking situation is about 30 percent above last year, now and also in the future," says Sigge Jungell, CEO of destination Funäsfjällen.
Skis SKIS B +1,74% has 12,800 beds to rent out at its facilities in Åre and Vemdalen, according to the latest annual report. During the Christmas and New Year holidays, they are also completely occupied, their CEO tells Sveriges Radio.
This week, 916 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Jämtland Härjedalen region, compared to 382 the week before. Several hundred more positive tests are expected before today's analyses are complete. The percentage of positives has increased from just over 8 to 17 percent. But it does not appear to be tourists who are bringing the infection.
”"As of Wednesday, 90 percent of those who tested themselves lived in the region," says Maria Söderkvist.
The spread has mainly occurred among families celebrating Christmas. Infection tracking in the coming days is expected to provide more in-depth answers.
There are no updated figures on the proportion of the omicron variant, but infection tracking indicates that more people are being infected now than before and that it is happening quickly.
”"If someone gets infected, many in the household get infected," she says.
The capacity has not There were enough at the testing stations to test everyone who needed it during the week, but there are PCR tests to pick up at pharmacies or other pick-up locations.
The Public Health Agency and regional infectious disease control doctors are urging anyone who has planned a trip and is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 not to go. But in Funäsfjällen, cancellations have been extremely few so far.
”"We last looked yesterday and we don't even have ten cancellations during Christmas, New Year's and the thirteenth weekend. We don't see any increased number of cancellations," says Sigge Jungell.
If you book through the destination's system, you get your money back if you cancel. He hasn't noticed any concerns about the spread of infection among either staff or guests. The lift queues also seem to be flowing, he says.
”"Both the guest and we have developed some kind of routine, so overall we have very few problems with guests not keeping their distance."”
”"We inform arriving guests and guests on site with signs and arrange queuing systems and have different variations to ensure that there are not too many people in stores, for example."”
Party-loving ski tourists probably won't choose Funäsfjällen, which is characterized by a clear focus.
”"Those who come to Funäsfjällen are interested in outdoor activities, it may not be the same guests who go to Åre. A larger number come there for the party, noise and glam," says Sigge Jungell.
The Director of Health and Medical Services is not concerned about increased spread of infection in the wake of tourism - without healthcare staff getting sick.
”"My fear is that we will have a large dropout rate so that we cannot staff, now we have staff in place to handle the load we have," she says.
Source: TT
