94th Schmittenhohebahn AGM Held
The Schmittenhöhebahn AG presented the figures for the 2020/21 financial year again at the FPCC in Zell am See, digitally in the live stream and as a green event
After last year's Annual General Meeting took place successfully on site and in digital space, the 94th Annual General Meeting of Schmittenhöhebahn AG on May 17, 2022 was not only held in the Ferry Porsche Congress Center this time either. All shareholders and interested parties were able to alternatively attend the event online via live stream. As a result, a particularly large number of participants and those responsible followed the report of the supervisory board and the management of Schmittenhöhebahn AG. Despite all the challenges of the past few months, there were also positive signals: on the one hand, the date for the annual general meeting could be held as usual at the end of spring due to the decline in the pandemic numbers, In addition, Schmittenhöhebahn AG was able to look back on a satisfactory summer of 2021. The focus also continued to be on the environment: the annual general meeting of the Schmittenhöhebahn AG was held as an official green event for the sixth time. The Austrian eco-label was also used for the printed matter - the annual report and invitations were printed on particularly sustainable paper.
The corona pandemic continued to influence the 2020/2021 season
After a pleasant summer in 2020, people were optimistic about the following winter season - even if the conditions for this, with an increase in new infections and another lockdown from November 3rd, 2020, were extremely bad. Operations could only be resumed on December 24, 2020, but with numerous restrictions, safety and hygiene measures. The lockdown, however, mainly because hotels and other accommodation options had to remain closed, resulted in a loss of overnight guests. This could not be compensated for by the local winter sports enthusiasts either, which meant that some of the slopes were empty and without visitors.
In addition to normal seasonal fluctuations, changed Covid-19 measures led to noticeable changes in day-to-day business: Even the start of the winter season was delayed due to different lockdown regulations across Austria. As a result, Schmittenhöhebahn AG was only able to book around 130,000 guests for its cable cars and lifts in the 2020/21 winter season, which lasted until April 5, 2021. This meant a guest reduction of over 90%.
On the other hand, a good level was reached in the summer
In the summer of 2021, the corona numbers fell and with them the restrictions. People's desire for the outdoors, freedom and nature was great and was also reflected in the numbers. The Schmittenhöhebahn AG counted a total of over 200,000 guests for the mountain railways and was thus able to almost return to the pre-Corona level. Thanks to the good weather, but also due to many marketing activities, the diverse adventure and leisure offers welcomed numerous local and foreign visitors. The persistently warm temperatures and low rainfall enabled many people to continue using the Schmittenhöhebahn AG railways and services in September and October 2021. The number of guests on the ship is also increasing again with over 91,000 guests in summer 2021. Accordingly, one can look forward to the summer season with satisfaction,
Satisfactory winter after a difficult start
The 2021/22 winter season was still characterized by Corona and the associated measures. A lockdown in some Austrian federal states, including Salzburg, only allowed a late start to the season. There were entry restrictions and quarantine rules, also on the return journey, for foreign guests, especially children. Only with the lifting of some travel restrictions and the following measures in the second half of the season were other guests, especially from abroad, able to visit the ski slopes with pleasure. All in all, the winter that ended on April 18, 2022 was slightly above plan. The trend and direction are right, but the pre-pandemic level could not be reached.
Outlook for summer and winter 2022
After the pleasingly positive summer results in 2020 and 2021, hope is again felt this year. Hotels in particular are in high demand, which is why optimism has returned after the disappointing winter.
We are now looking forward to the winter of 2022/23 just as positively, albeit with an appeal to the political decision-makers to intercept a possible renewed corona wave at an early stage so that massive measures (hotel closures, etc.) no longer have to be taken.
Annual general meeting as a green event
The Schmittenhöhebahn AG organized the annual general meeting for the sixth time as a green event in accordance with the Austrian eco-label. For the only cable car company in Austria to be EMAs-certified, it is also very important for its own events to take sustainability and the environment into account. The cable car plays a pioneering role in the country. This also reflects the corporate philosophy and was made tangible for the participants in the course of the annual general meeting. For example, the invitations to the event and the company's annual report were produced regionally and printed on recycled paper. This also brought the Schmittenhöhebahn AG a "Cradle to Cradle" award. This guarantees
In addition, the shareholders and invited guests can look forward to a special treat this year: a bee and butterfly meadow made of a wooden box. With earth fiber tablets, bio-certified plant seeds can be planted in a biodegradable plant pot at home for a colourful, bee-friendly flower mixture. In addition to the aforementioned activities in the area of sustainability, the Schmittenhöhebahn AG has also had an ecological advisory board for eleven years.
Schmittenhöhebahn AG at a glance
The Schmittenhöhebahn AG employs around 360 people in the winter season, making it one of the leading companies and most important employers in the Zell am See-Kaprun region. 28 lifts and cable cars on the Schmittenhöhe, as well as the boat trip on Lake Zell are among the main tourist attractions in Zell am See-Kaprun in winter and summer.
