The EBU is still to confirm which scenario will be used for Eurovision 2021 — but the hotels of Rotterdam are planning for the best. The city’s accommodation providers have 3000 rooms reserved for the delegations expected to travel to Rotterdam for Eurovision 2021.
Roel Dusseldorp, the chairman of the Rotterdam Hotel Association (RHC), has told local newspaper AD that a block booking was made last year, after the EBU confirmed that Eurovision 2021 would stay in Rotterdam.
The hotels of Rotterdam have essentially kept the same number of bookings that were in place for Eurovision 2020. The rooms are held for the competing delegations, journalists and organisers of Eurovision itself — however at this stage, it’s not confirmed if the same numbers of delegation members and journalists will be able to travel to Rotterdam in May.
Each delegation will keep their 2020 booking and will stay in the same accommodation that was previously booked for them last year.
Dusseldorp says that the Eurovision bookings are a positive step for the hotels of Rotterdam, who have been coping with a drop in guest numbers due to the pandemic. He said, “The number of guests can be counted on one hand. We are now purely open out of service.”
He also notes that if Eurovision 2021 will also allow for a live audience, the hotels of Rotterdam will also be able to accommodate them. While Rotterdam hotels were nearly booked out this time last year, many rooms currently remain available.
The four potential scenarios of Eurovision 2021
While the bookings have been made, they aren’t confirmed yet. The EBU will first have to decide which scenario Eurovision 2021 will use — and with it, how many delegation members and media will come to Rotterdam.
The EBU has planned four scenarios that will ensure the song contest can go ahead regardless of any restrictions from the Covid-19 pandemic. However, only one of the scenarios allows for “business as usual” numbers of delegations and media.
That’s Scenario A — essentially a pre-pandemic Eurovision. It would involve a packed arena audience and regular size delegations and media. However, this seems very unlikely for 2021.
Scenario B is a socially distant Eurovision. It would still involve a live audience, but with smaller and socially distanced seating. It would also require a reduction in the number of delegation members and media.
Scenario C is similar to B, but also allows for some delegations to stay in their home country and perform remotely. This scenario therefore would have even fewer delegation members.
Scenario D is Eurovision in lockdown. The show would still go ahead, but with no live audience. All artists would participate via a pre-recorded performance that will be presented from the show at Ahoy Arena. In this scenario, there would be no delegations or media in Rotterdam.
Eurovision 2021 producers recently confirmed that a decision on which scenario will be used is expected to be made sometime in February.
What scenario do you think should be used for Eurovision 2021? Are you planning to travel to Rotterdam in May? Tell us your thoughts below!
they can always bring the delegations there but i highly doubt that the arena will be full or half full which is sad.
I don’t think travelling freely and watching a show in an arena will be allowed.
Well this booking suggests that D at least isn’t the most likely option….
I like to to think this gives some leverage to option B, some advantage. As they say Eurovision could be the start of the new approved festive season..
The netherlands is still far away from that situation though. We might even get a night curfew in the coming weeks and it will take atleast mid 2022 until the whole country is finally vaccinated at our rate.
Yes, but contest is in May,not now. By then situation will have improved..
I’m not hopeful, the only countries in Europe with a vaccination programme is currently UK and Russia with the rest of Europe not starting yet. We in UK are in lockdown until the end of March and cases are still rising. Countries far out like Australia and Israel may not even be able to go.
I think option C is the most likely, as much as I hate to say it, we’ve got to be realistic. Corona is currently getting worse not better.
What are you talking about? European countries have started vaccinating their population. In the following weeks, the vaccination process will speed up and by May all vulnerable persons will have got a jab and restrictions eased. I also don’t think option B will be feasible this year, but option C definitely. By the way, Israel has already vaccinated nearly 20% of the population, so Eden will be present for sure. Do reality check.
Israel and Australia aren’t about vaccination progress, they both have closed border to stop spread. Do reality check. Also I just said what they said on BBC News, not my fault the British media said this.
They have closed borders but that doesn’t mean that Israelis can’t travel anywhere. As I said earlier if Israel manages to vaccinate the whole population by May, which seems reasonable by the current trend, then Eden will be able to travel. Even if they still impose some restrictions she can get a test before getting back to Israel or self isolate upon arrival. Eurovision is not a local village-level festival to not find an adequate solution. And yes, I’ve done a reality check. You should do it and stop repeating my statements when having lack of arguments.
I didn’t repeat anything that you said
Actually most EU countries have started vaccine. Sweden started on Boxing Day. Netherlands started after New Year. So with strict rule obedience B could work.
D only works if no one is allowed to travel and you can already travel now
No you can’t. You have to quarantine everywhere and half of Europe is in lockdown.
It’s also not about having a 100% of people vaccinated – 50% would be fine. + not to mention that it’s only important that older people get vaccinated, corona virus is not dangerous to young and middle aged people (except if they have a big health issue)
There are 30 year olds with no health problems in UK hospitals with corona, the new variant is a lot more transmissible, I can’t see B happening, hate me for it all you want
Stop being a negative Nelly! The new variant is more transmissable but not deadlier. Yes 30 year olds can get corona, every one can get it but most 30 year olds are healthy enough to not die from it. The majority of deaths are 85 year olds with health issues. If these people get vaccine then by May things will be better. It doesnt need to be 100% vaccination, as long as those most vulnerable gets it. And yes you can still travel..
yes exactly, a case where a 30 year old could get serious health issues from it is very rare (probably less than 0.1 %)
The Israeli population is vaccinating very fast (20% of the population already got the first shot) so I’m sure Eden will vaccinate before May and will be able to go to Rotterdam, btw I wonder why europe is vaccinating way slower than Israel
Because in most countries there are not enough vaccines yet to do it much quicker.