"Future Strategy 2030", Municipality Of Oetz And Tourism Otztal Present A Joint Master Plan
With the "Future Strategy 2030", the municipality of Oetz and Tourismus im Vorderen Ötztal present a joint master plan. Based on this strategy, the interests of all groups involved (locals, guests and employees) are taken into account at both the municipal and tourist level. With the first steps (Stopping leisure residences, limiting accommodation capacities, capacity-oriented local development), the municipality has already defined important framework conditions.
In February 2020, the initiative for the future strategy 2030 started with the participation of the municipality of Oetz and the local tourism committees of Oetz, Sautens and Haiming-Ochsengarten. The trigger for this was the tension between the negative attitude towards tourism in large parts of the population and the undisputed fact that tourism is one of the leading sectors in the front Ötztal. "Our goal was therefore to take into account the concerns and expectations of citizens, employees and guests and to find solutions that receive the highest possible level of approval," says Hansjörg Falkner, Mayor of Oetz. Based on more than 1,300 Personal-oral surveys were used to find out what moves people.
Yes to family businesses
The survey participants gave red cards for topics such as investor models or the rapid growth of leisure residences. The municipality of Oetz has already reacted accordingly within the scope of its creative possibilities. The guidelines for the dedication of leisure residences were unanimously repealed by the Oetz municipal council in September 2021. In addition, in December 2021, the Oetz municipal council unanimously passed the guideline for the approval of large accommodation facilities and set the upper limit for beds at 200 beds, i.e. 100 beds below the 300 beds targeted by state politics. "In coordination with the tourism players, the municipal council of Oetz has met the expectations of the population without restricting the development of the established businesses," says Lois Amprosi, Initiator of the future strategy. Because the clear message is that the people of Oetzer care about the preservation of accommodation facilities in local hands. Also on the agenda are nine defined future fields, which are dedicated to local political issues such as infrastructure, population and housing development or regionality.
Sustainable tourism development
The future tourism development in the front Ötztal (Haiming-Ochsengarten, Sautens, Oetz) is in line with the future strategy Oetz 2030. This is based on three pillars. Firstly, tourism as a central economic factor in the region should retain its importance in the future. At the same time, the industry fulfills its social role. For example in the creation of year-round jobs and the provision of attractive leisure activities for both residents and guests. On an ecological level, the preservation of nature is the focus for locals and guests. This is to be achieved by establishing itself as a year-round destination with the guiding principle of quality over quantity. This and the commitment to regionality, mobility, Nature and landscape should strengthen the residents' positive attitude towards tourism by raising awareness. Similar to the municipal level, ten future fields have also been developed for tourism. These take up topics such as regional purchasing, supporting family-run businesses and cooperation at operational and regional level. “We would like to further develop Hochoetz into an adventure mountain and supplement the offer with coherent, alternative winter sports activities, among other things. This ranges from snowshoe trails to piste ski touring options," says Christoph Rauch, destination manager at Ötztal Tourismus. supporting family-run businesses and cooperation at operational and regional level. “We would like to further develop Hochoetz into an adventure mountain and supplement the offer with coherent, alternative winter sports activities, among other things. This ranges from snowshoe trails to piste ski touring options," says Christoph Rauch, destination manager at Ötztal Tourismus. supporting family-run businesses and cooperation at operational and regional level. “We would like to further develop Hochoetz into an adventure mountain and supplement the offer with coherent, alternative winter sports activities, among other things. This ranges from snowshoe trails to piste ski touring options," says Christoph Rauch, destination manager at Ötztal Tourismus.
Next generation as a success factor
Essential prerequisites for the success of such future strategies are transparent communication and the involvement of all affected groups, in particular the representatives of the communities and the tourism players. “In addition, the active participation of the following generations is crucial for the future. This ensures that the measures are supported and implemented," says Clemens Westreicher, an expert in strategy development.
The part of the future strategy Oetz 2030 is a leader project and is supported by the federal, state and European Union. The tourism future strategy Vorderes Ötztal 2030 is entirely funded by Ötztal Tourismus and the respective local committees.
Further information: www.strategie2030.info
