A few media reports in the last weeks informed us that Hallstatt, usually visited by millions of Chinese tourists every year had pretty much become deserted due to the coronavirus travel bans. Being just nearby, I had to check whether this was true. Because, well, I like deserted places. 😉
So, yes, it was nicely quiet (at least compared to the last time I visited Hallstatt about two years ago). We could even have a normal chat with some of the locals. For some it was a welcome change, for others it’s a dent in their business. But still, tourism is never far away in Hallstatt.
It may be easy to forget sometimes, but Hallstatt is not a museum, it’s a place where people live. And the clash of different realities sometimes shows…
Bengt Beier - travels and photography 