Prague is preparing for the Christmas tourist season. This year with restrictions once again
25 November 2021 – From Sunday anyone interested can visit the Christmas Markets on the Old Town Square, this year once again in restricted mode and under strict hygienic conditions. Taking part in the Christmas markets, Prague City Tourism will also be putting out its market stall. On it will be, among other things, a limited Christmas edition of classy souvenirs. The organization has also launched the winter part of their digital marketing campaign for international visitors. To date, the autumn campaign has seen most tourist response from Germany, Austria, Italy and the Benelux countries.
The Christmas tourist season is one of the most popular times of the year in the metropolis in terms of visitor numbers. In 2019 Prague saw 700 thousand visitors. This year, representatives of Prague City Tourism estimate that due to the ongoing pandemic and new restrictive measures, the visitor numbers will be at 30 to 40 percent of 2019. At this time, further estimates will have to vary with any further restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic. Experts agree that we cannot accurately predict tourist behaviour, since the situation is still developing and changing daily.
‘Pre-Christmas Prague has its own specific atmosphere and charm, much sought-after every year by visitors from abroad, from Czechia and Praguers. As far as City Hall is concerned, we are ready to do everything possible to ensure that Advent time is safe for visitors, locals and service providers. I believe that by showing mutual consideration and solidarity with the health workers we will be able to enjoy the upcoming days and the Christmas period, and look back on them in a good way, despite the anti-epidemic restrictions,’ says Hana Třeštíková, Councillor for Culture and Tourism.
Prague City Tourism will continue to strive to promote safe and sustainable tourism even in these unpredictable times. Tourists are invited to Christmas Prague through a digital marketing campaign. The campaign targets selected markets and visitors who do not equate Prague with nightlife and cheap alcohol, but come for culture, fine dining and heritage monuments. As part of the campaign, the company is also informing of the applicable rules related to travel and is appealing for compliance with all hygiene measures.
‘In the autumn campaign, one third of our visitors were over 55 years of age and showed interest in the quality of services, culture and history. Thanks to the ongoing fine-tuning of the campaign we are able to target more creditworthy tourists and deprecate the old view of Prague as a cheap party destination. Prague is thus beginning to compete on services and not on price, unlike the times before the pandemic. In terms of the Christmas part of the campaign, we are also communicating the need for compliance with all applicable regulations, so as to make the best of the season, restrictions permitting,’ says František Cipro, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Prague City Tourism. There is a a new campaign microsite stayinprague.eu/winter/.
From 27 November everyone can look forward to the Christmas markets. Prague City Tourism is taking part with their stand on the Old Town Square, where people can, buy a limited-edition collection of Christmas souvenirs, among other things. ‘We have once again approached local makers to get involved. Visitors can thus look forward to candles from Beauty Guru, mugs from Studio Malíská or Christmas cards from Bohemia Paper,’ says Jana Adamcová, Member of the Board of Directors of Prague City Tourism. The organization will also offer discounted tickets for the Old Town Hall tower and other Prague towers.
Prague’s Christmas mood will also be underlined by specially lit historical tourist trams on line 42. These will be festively decorated throughout December so people can enjoy their Christmas rides through downtown Prague even more. Tickets for a historical tram ride are available at the prague.eu e-shop or in the tramcar itself.