A New Chapter for Alpine Travel

Why 5 May 2023 marked a meaningful moment for the return of freer international movement, renewed confidence, and a fresh beginning for mountain escapes across the Alps

Published on 7 May 2023, 10:15 CET
By Alpine Journal Editorial Team

Today marks a significant turning point for international travel. On 5 May 2023, the World Health Organization announced the end of COVID-19’s status as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, bringing a clearer sense that the emergency phase of the pandemic had formally closed. For travellers, destinations, and hospitality businesses alike, this moment carries practical importance, but also emotional weight.

Across the Alps, that meaning feels especially strong. Mountain travel has always been tied to freedom of movement, fresh air, renewal, and perspective. During the years of restrictions, uncertainty, and changing travel rules, those qualities often felt more distant than usual. The return of greater confidence in international mobility now allows the Alpine experience to be seen again in a more open and hopeful light.

This does not mean the previous years are forgotten. On the contrary, they have changed how many people think about time away, space, nature, and the value of choosing destinations that offer both beauty and breathing room. In that sense, the Alps remain particularly relevant. Their villages, landscapes, and seasonal rhythm continue to answer a need not only for travel, but for restoration.
For travellers considering the next chapter, this moment is not only about logistics becoming simpler. It is also about rediscovering why mountain stays matter in the first place. A chalet terrace, a village walk in clean air, a lake in summer, or a snowy morning in winter can now once again be approached with a greater sense of normality and anticipation.

For Alpine destinations themselves, this date also represents a broader reopening of confidence. The hospitality world has shown resilience through a difficult period, and places across France, Switzerland, Austria, and beyond can now begin a new phase with stronger clarity. For guests, that means more assurance, more planning confidence, and a renewed ability to look ahead to future stays with optimism rather than hesitation.

As the first article published on this site, this post marks the beginning of that new chapter. It stands as a simple milestone: a moment when travel regained a more solid footing, and when the idea of returning to the mountains felt more open again. From here, the journal turns toward the seasons, the resorts, and the experiences that continue to define Alpine travel at its best.

Let this be the beginning of your next Alpine escape, with thoughtfully selected stays in some of Europe’s most remarkable mountain destinations.