Schmittenhohebahn AG Presents 2019/20 Financial Year Results
After a general meeting on the Internet last year due to the corona pandemic, Schmittenhöhebahn AG decided this time to hold the 93rd annual general meeting on October 5, 2021 not only in the Ferry Porsche Congress Center in Zell am See, but also at the same time to offer a live stream on the Internet for all shareholders and invited guests. The report of the supervisory board and the management of Schmittenhöhebahn AG could also be followed live from home.
Due to the corona pandemic, the annual general meeting was moved to autumn again this year. As a result, Schmittenhöhebahn AG could also look back on a pleasant summer 2021 after a more than mixed winter 2020/21.
The corona pandemic interrupted a winter 2019/20 of superlatives
As announced at the 92nd Annual General Meeting last year, winter 2019 started on November 22nd of the same year thanks to perfect snow conditions and suitable weather. With the opening of Section I of the zellamseeXpress, accompanied by the motto “Over the edge of the valley”, a long-awaited project could be completed that establishes a connection to the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn. The ticket association “ALPIN CARD”, together with the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn and the Kitzsteinhorn glacier railways, was therefore a done deal.
Investments that have already been made have paid off: By mid-March 2020 there were 868,600 guests, which is an increase of 6.6%. Due to the outbreak of the corona pandemic and the regulation of a lockdown, a record-breaking winter season ended abruptly on March 15, 2020. In addition, planned investments had to be postponed.
Summer 2020: Delayed start after lockdown
The summer season in the first year of the corona pandemic was characterized by uncertainties. Even the opening was uncertain for a long time. With reduced capacities and only in stages, shipping on Lake Zell and the summer railways were able to open their doors on May 29, 2020.
Travel warnings and insecure entry regulations brought with them a hesitant start. Fortunately, it was not until August and September 2020 that the Schmitten's offers were accepted to the fullest satisfaction by numerous locals and also by guests, mainly from Germany. The week-long lockdown has probably not restricted the desire for freedom, exercise and nature. Thus, the summer season only brought a slight decrease compared to the previous year.
Uncertain forecasts for the 2020/21 winter season
Because the summer went well, the mood was also more optimistic for the 2020/21 winter season - but the prerequisites for this were extremely poor. The number of newly infected people rose and another lockdown delayed the start of the ski season. It was not until December 24, 2020 that operations could commence with restrictions. Numerous safety and hygiene measures, including the stipulated access restrictions and the FFP2 mask requirement, have been implemented by Schmittenhöhebahn AG. However, the entire situation led to an absence of overnight guests. The local winter sports enthusiasts could not compensate for this, so there was this one Winter season, which lasted until April 5, 2021, a guest reduction of 85%. Nonetheless, there were 131,000 first-time admissions.
A summer on a new level
In the current summer you could clearly feel the people's urge for freedom after more than a year of pandemic and measures. In addition, the summer started with cloudy weather and so the offers on the mountain and the boat trip on Lake Zell could only be used to a limited extent.
From the end of June, not only did the weather improve, but also the number of guests. The numerous adventure and leisure activities were very well received by the guests, and fortunately also by a large number of locals. In August, too, the number of guests who entered was considerably large thanks to the summer weather and the associated number of days on which the systems could be put into operation.
The various offers were also used frequently in September due to the warm temperatures, so it was once again possible for the guests to relax and enjoy nature. "We are very satisfied with the summer season, which lasts until November 2nd, and can look back on well-attended offers on the mountain and the lake."
In addition, investments were made in the summer that were postponed in 2019/20. This also includes the renovation of the panorama restaurant at the trassXpress mountain station, which was carried out in three construction stages. Furthermore, investments were made in the snow-making system for the 77 kilometers of slopes, so that skiing can continue until spring.
Anniversary as a green event
For the fifth time, the annual general meeting of Schmittenhöhebahn AG took place as a green event according to the Austrian Ecolabel. The only ropeway company certified by EMAs in Austria, attaches great importance to sustainability and the environment at its own events and also plays a pioneering role. This also reflects the corporate philosophy and was made tangible for the participants in the course of the annual general meeting.
In addition to the five-year anniversary as a "Green Event", Schmittenhöhebahn AG is also celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Ecology Advisory Board.
More about the green Schmittenhöhe at: www.schmitten.at/Nachhaltigkeit
