Tourist Transport Industry In Central Switzerland Summit Meeting Held

At the general meeting of the regional industry association for tourist transport, the transport companies of Central Switzerland (TUZ) looked back on another challenging pandemic year for the member companies and are happy about the very successful snow sports winter 2021/22. The longstanding and resigning President Sepp Odermatt named the current challenges of the industry with the hesitant recovery of the international tourism market, the tense labor market and the dependencies of the raw materials and energy markets. René Koller, director of Bergbahnen Sörenberg, was elected as the new president.

Many members enjoyed the opportunity for the industry meeting, which was able to take place again without restrictions and in a familiar setting for the first time after the pandemic years 2020 and 2021. President Sepp Odermatt thanked the members and their employees for the enormous and united effort during the past two demanding years in the context of the pandemic. Thanks also go to politicians and the authorities, who made possible pragmatic solutions for the industry in an international comparison. The Landammann of the canton of Obwalden, Daniel Wyler, addressed his greeting to the assembly and thanked the industry for its determination, exchange and discipline during these challenging times. Roman Barmettler,

Review

Summer season 2021:

The protective measures in the catering trade from spring 2021 and the largely absent intercontinental tourism in summer are still leaving their mark in Central Switzerland. A two-part picture emerges: Businesses that had a high proportion of international guests before the pandemic are still having to record larger sales losses, while companies with a higher share of the domestic market have been able to achieve pleasing sales again.

Winter sports season 2021/22:

The companies geared towards snow sports can look back on a very successful winter. The snow and weather conditions offered ideal conditions for the guests and stable operations. The Central Swiss companies could achieve 39% more sales compared to the previous year, in a five-year comparison the value is slightly above average at 3%.

Tourist transport associations, successful products

On behalf of the members, TUZ coordinates the tourism associations with the Central Switzerland snow pass, TellPass and Ambassador Pass. Managing Director Adrian Bühlmann was able to present a very successful winter season for the Central Switzerland snow pass at the AGM. vs. Compared to the previous year and the 10-year average, the yield increased by 36%. The SchneepassPlus, the add-on for the summer, also recorded growth of 33%. In successful cooperation with Lucerne Tourism, the Tell-Pass was successfully positioned in the current guest segments as part of the 2 for 1 campaign in the cantons of Lucerne, Obwalden and Uri. Here, too, a sales increase of 49% compared to previous year are recorded. However, sales are still around a quarter below the most successful years of 2018 and 2019.

New elections

The terms of office of President Sepp Odermatt and Board Member Tobias Matter, Titlis-Bahnen ended at the AGM. René Koller, director of Bergbahnen Sörenberg, was elected as the new president. Frédéric Füssenich, CEO of the Rigi-Bahnen, and Roland Wehrli, COO of the Titlis-Bahnen, were newly elected to the board.

New members

Biel-Kinzig AG, Bürglen (UR) and the Sattelegg ski lift in Willerzell (SZ) were accepted as new members of the association.

Outlook

The new TUZ President René Koller thanks Sepp Odermatt for the professional and passionate leadership of the association over the past nine years and would like to continue to cultivate the positive industry dynamic that has been gained. The Director of Seilbahnen Schweiz, Dr. Berno Stoffel thanked the members. The industry has managed to limit the damage through cohesion and targeted work. It is important to take this drive with you and tackle the upcoming challenges with the same enthusiasm.

The transport companies of Central Switzerland (TUZ) form the association of tourism-oriented transport companies and include 75 member companies in 6 cantons in the areas of rail, bus, ship and mountain railways. The TUZ jointly issue the two tickets Tell Pass and Snow Pass Central Switzerland. In the past financial year, the members of the TUZ generated total sales of around CHF 220 million and employed more than 3,500 people.