Otztal Tourism Preparing For Corona Winter, Benjamin Kneisl Elected As New Chairman
After 15 years, Bernhard Riml is handing over the position of chairman of Ötztal Tourismus to his successor Benjamin Kneisl. Despite uncertain forecasts, the Ötztal rifle will be ready for a winter start as soon as the legal framework allows it. In 2021, Ötztal Tourismus must implement a budget reduction of 5.4 million euros.
As one of five Tyrolean tourism associations, Ötztal Tourismus 2020 also completed its general assembly. On November 26th, the members met under strict conditions. "It is an important sign that the Tyrolean tourism organization is not buckling in the face of the Corona crisis", emphasized Gerhard Föger, head of the tourism department in the office of the Tyrolean state government. Accordingly, the Ötztal tourism experts met in the new Gurgl Carat congress and event center in compliance with the pandemic.
Bernhard Riml's era comes to an end
After a 5-year term of office, a new supervisory board and thus also a new board of directors for Tyrol's largest tourism association had to be elected. The new election marked the final of the 15-year chairmanship of Bernhard Riml. Its services to the development of one of “the absolute model associations in Tyrol” (original quote Gerhard Föger) were recognized in numerous statements. Riml hands over a tidy house in extremely healthy financial shape. The annual financial statements for 2019 with a profit of around 850,000 euros were unanimously approved by the general assembly. Riml, however, once again proved to be a friend of understatement. He did not want to start with a monologue about the success of the tourism association for which he was responsible, emphasized the outgoing chairman. You just have to drive through the Ötztal with your eyes open, to see what infrastructure has been created in the past 15 years. “We invested a lot in the good times. Now, however, we should step off the gas a little when we take on new debts, ”recommended the long-standing association official when saying goodbye.
Investment impulses for regional economy
The annual review showed that despite the necessary cost-cutting measures, there were still a number of investment highlights on the agenda. Including final work on the Ötztal cycle path or the construction of a new TVB headquarters in Sölden. “We wanted to set a good example and actively implement projects in which local businesses are commissioned,” says Oliver Schwarz, Managing Director of Ötztal Tourismus. For Ötztal Tourismus, the most recent financial year was accompanied by a drop in overnight stays of around 20%. "Nevertheless, we got away with a black eye, especially in the summer," said Schwarz. Against the background of the latently uncertain situation for Tyrolean tourism, he referred to the unbroken longing in the target markets to spend a skiing holiday in the local mountains, according to surveys.
1.3 million are ready for the winter start
Whatever the development in the coming weeks: The Ötztal is ready for a resumption of international travel activities. With a marketing budget of 1.3 million euros, the aim is to prominently advertise the start of the season as soon as the circumstances make this appear conclusive. Corresponding campaigns are ready to start in the drawer. The cable car companies have already announced that they want to open on December 11th - as far as the legal framework in Austria allows. In addition to the known restrictions (no après-ski) and protective measures, the comprehensive safety precautions for the coming winter also include a consistent valley-wide test strategy. Facilities throughout the Ötztal offer antigen and PCR tests. AREA 47 acts as a safe house during the winter months.
Savings budget for the coming tourism year
For Ötztal Tourismus, 2021 will be accompanied by considerable loss of income and the resulting budget cuts of 5.4 million euros. Tyrol's largest tourism association is now planning for 2021 with a budget of 20.2 million euros. Despite the challenging situation, the chairman of the supervisory board, Jakob Falkner, called on the entrepreneurs of the Ötztal not to lose courage even in difficult times. “We must now look ahead with determination. Hopefully the situation will calm down again by the middle of next year, so that we can expect a reasonably normal course of business again.
Generation change at the top of the board
The 33-year-old Benjamin Kneisl, a representative of the young entrepreneurial squad, was named the new chairman of the tourism association. The Ötztal is thus performing a generation change at the forefront. Former chairman Bernhard Riml announced his successor - who is the host at the Grünwald Resort Sölden - as the “digital chairman”. In his inaugural statement, Kneisl himself emphasized his affinity for new, digital communication channels: “We are called upon to distinguish ourselves sustainably in the flood of daily information”. It is now particularly important to tackle topics such as traffic and the future integration of agriculture in Ötztal tourism, said Kneisl. Last but not least, he sees it as a central challenge to win young people back into tourism and to raise the general attitude towards tourism. The new chairman is supported by Lukas Scheiber (1st deputy chairman) and Peter Neurauter (2nd deputy chairman), the proven strengths of the previous board.
The Ötztal Tourismus Supervisory Board is made up as follows:
Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Jakob Falkner; Deputy: Alban Scheiber
Supervisory board members: Michael Gstrein, Christine Hackl, Rainer Krismer, Roland Haselwanter, Johannes Grüner, David Glanzer, Jakob Platzer as well as Ernst Schöpf and Hansjörg Falkner as representatives of the communities. Alois Burkert and Gerhard Moser are co-opted members of the committee.
