Austrian Ski Resort Introduces Unofficial Russian Quota
Thursday, February 8th, 2007
Hotels in a leading Austrian ski resort have introduced an informal limit on the number of Russian guests they wish to receive, it has been revealed.
The ten per cent unofficial restriction has been enforced in Kitzbuhel after a series of complaints about the behaviour and attitude of wealthy Russian tourists, according to reports.
Furthermore, the Guardian notes that property prices in the ski resort have doubled since 2005, pushing locals out of the market as Russians are increasingly buying ski chalets.
While Manfred Hagsteiner, a local estate agent, told the Telegraph that the objectors were simply jealous of the Russians, other commentator’s opinions are different.
"The Russians are too noisy and they drink too much," Christof Kramer told the Telegraph.
"I’d like to see to more Germans, at least I understand them. We have too many Russians."
Outgoing tourism chief Renate Danier commented that Russians are welcome in the ski resort and that Kitzbühel merely wishes to maintain an international variety and not become a "Russian stronghold".
