Of course, the entire German society is thinking about how to replace Russian gas, what could be done in the event of a possible gas shortage? The president of the Association of Independent Travel Agencies has come up with a brilliant, albeit not altruistic, idea, suggesting that retirees travel to warmer climates in winter to save on energy. - can be read on the Mandiner .
Germany is of course worried about the gas boycott. There have already been many proposals for energy saving, how to survive the next high energy-demanding autumn-winter season. The economy minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Andreas Pinkwart (FDP), for example, could imagine millions of employees doing their work from home so that the offices do not have to be heated so much.
The most unusual proposal probably comes from the president of the Association of Independent Travel Agents (VUSR), Marija Linnhoff.
In order to save energy, he would send pensioners to warmer countries for longer vacations in the cold season. He mentioned Turkey, Tunisia and Mallorca as possible destinations.
He gave his proposal due thought, arguing that many senior citizens would like to spend the winter there. According to him, many more citizens would take advantage of this opportunity if, for example, the federal government paid a subsidy of 500 euros for such trips. And they can turn off the heating at home during their vacation," said Linnhoff, then added:
"To travel against Putin is worth more than to freeze because of Putin".
Actually, why not? It is even possible that the German government will recalculate all of this and come to the conclusion that the support has a positive effect on the national economic level as well. This way, according to Linnhoff, the trips would also become affordable, as the advertised price of such a 50-day Mallorca getaway is currently around €1,300 per person. This includes half board in a mid-range hotel and flight tickets.
2022 plus:
In fact, this idea is not new, since in the 80s of the last century, for example, pensioners living in Vienna retreated to a mountain pension in the winter, because it was cheaper, even with full board, than if they had heating and life at home. Of course, times were different then, public safety was greater, there were no immigrants hoping for a better life, as there are nowadays. Therefore, it is conceivable that the idea will not be an undivided success among German retirees, because who would dare to risk that when they return home in the spring, their apartment will be vandalized or occupied by bona fide people without legal title. Then you can go to the local hotel, waiting for official action, after which the hotel price would consume such a horror cost that you can sell your apartment. Of course, looking at the situation today, it is even conceivable that energy prices will be so high that pensioners will rather go south voluntarily and singing. But then in 50 days it will not be 1,300, but say 3,300 euros, because as we know, prices are not only influenced by energy, but also by supply and demand.
