Ground Breaking For New Otztal Tourism Headquarters

The new headquarters of Ötztal Tourismus will be set up at a central location in Sölden by June 2021. The building houses a guest service information office of the future and a unique brand experience on the ground floor. Modern, contemporary workplaces for all central specialist departments are created on the upper floors. The total investment is 7.4 million euros, the building offers enough space for 45 employees. 

  

In mid-June, work began on the new Ötztal Tourismus headquarters in Sölden with a total usable area of ​​1,483 m². Although the start planned for April was delayed due to Corona, the building should officially go into operation as announced at the beginning of the 2021 summer season. The decisive factor for the project is primarily the creation of a modern, contemporary work environment. “We have been accommodated in the Freizeit Arena for more than 20 years. After the merger in 2006, it was only possible under difficult conditions to provide all employees with an adequate job. In this environment, we were unfortunately no longer able to meet the requirements of a modern, creative communication company vis-à-vis the guest, our members and employees, " Oliver Schwarz, director of Ötztal Tourismus, sums it up. The Tyrolean architecture firm Obermoser is responsible for the design of the office building, which has already carried out well-known projects in Sölden, such as 007 ELEMENTS, the valley and mountain stations of the Gaislachkogl and Giggijoch cable cars, as well as the ice Q. 

Apart from the finance department, which will remain in Oetz, all specialist departments will in future be located in the same complex, which will enable positive synergies in everyday work. The three upper floors offer space for offices, meeting rooms and staff rooms. “As an organization, we have to meet the creative and communicative requirements of modern times. It is important for all employees to create short paths and space for creativity. With flexible time and space management, we encourage collaboration in interactive teams, ”says Schwarz, outlining the new world of work at Ötztal Tourismus. A modern information center for guests, landlords and international business partners opens on the ground floor. In the entrance area, including the lounge, visitors can look forward to a flexible theme and adventure world from Ötztal Tourismus, including three to four service desks for individual guest and landlord advice. Here the offers of the Ötztal are presented in the form of personal advice islands and a digital map table. 

Those who prefer to research their information themselves have the opportunity to do so via "Self-Service" with analog and digital content (brochures or screen information). Also to be seen: The tourist development of the Ötztal in a historical context. The integration of site design elements is planned in the outdoor area. “We want to show what is possible if you create traffic-calming zones. It is also important to us that the building, the forecourt and the bridge form one unit. That is why there will be no parking space in front of the new headquarters, ”explains Schwarz. There are already enough parking spaces in the immediate vicinity (Freizeit Arena, Postplatz). The basement accommodates an underground car park with twelve parking spaces, public toilet facilities as well as storage and technical rooms. The individual floors in the barrier-free building can be reached by elevator. In addition, a staircase connects the four floors. 

The project has a net investment volume of 7.4 million euros. In addition to the construction costs for the building, the forecourt design, the information and service area and the digital-interactive brand experience world, this should enable the visitor to perceive the DNA of the Ötztal with all senses. The construction of a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the Ötztaler Ache, planned by the municipality of Sölden, will contribute to the further upgrading of the newly created square. "By December this year we want the shell to be ready for the interior to be expanded in the winter months," reports project manager Dominic Kuen from Ötztal Tourismus. The infrastructure project also provides an impetus for the domestic construction industry and job security. All of the previous awards were made to local companies. The design of the forecourt and the outdoor area should be completed by the end of May 2021. After a gradual move, the official opening will take place in June.