- It is an extremely serious situation. Now the question is whether it will be a bad or catastrophic summer, says Jonas Siljhammar, CEO of the trade organization Visita.

Business Minister Ibrahim Baylan (S) shares that picture.

- The hospitality industry is undoubtedly an industry that has been hit very hard. We see that the corona crisis has draconian consequences for our economy and the hospitality industry, he says.

"Don't be afraid"

Jonas Siljhammar says that a lot is at stake unless people start booking their holidays.

- You can reach a great deal in two hours and you should not be afraid to book further away either for that part. The travel recommendations can change. If you leave the booking sites and book directly with the hotel, you know exactly what booking rules apply.

The visitor industry in Sweden has a turnover of SEK 200 billion a year, and according to Visita's forecasts, between SEK 55.3 billion and SEK 82.4 billion can be lost, depending on whether the current travel restrictions remain or if there is relief. If it continues as now, the loss of revenue is calculated to the higher sum.

Ibrahim Baylan understands that the hospitality industry is waiting for information on how it will be with domestic travel this summer.

- It is clear that this is something I hope for myself. But we have to remember that we are still at a stage where we are fighting the infection and there is still quite a lot of uncertainty.

80,000 jobs threatened

The Swedish Institute for Investigation (HUI) has previously concluded that 9,000 companies and 85,000 jobs in the hospitality industry are at risk of disappearing due to the corona crisis. The calculation was done before the government's support package, which among other things involves support for short-term permits.

Now, HUI's figures have been updated and still as many companies are threatened, while the number of threatened jobs is slightly lower - 80,000.

Already, 30,500 people, including 13,500 additional employees, in the hospitality industry have lost their jobs due to the corona crisis, according to Visita. Thousands of summer jobs are also at risk.

- Our own figures show that 25,000 summer jobs are under threat. Those affected are younger people and foreign-born. Many businesses have not been able to open and those who are open do not receive, or very few, bookings, says Jonas Siljhammar.