Schilthorn Financial Year 2022. Reports Record Turnover Despite 22 Percent Fewer Guests
Compared to the previous year, the 2022 financial year was characterized by higher visitor numbers, increased earnings, the groundbreaking ceremony for the large-scale SCHILTHORNBAHN 20XX project and various other important projects. In the current financial year, an extremely positive development trend is once again becoming apparent.
After the pandemic-related break, new life returned to the Schilthorn in the 2022 financial year: the number of visitors to the Piz Gloria increased significantly again. The figures are 57.8 percent above the previous year and just under five percent below the five-year average. The total income for 2022 is CHF 31,642,075. Despite the lower number of guests than in 2019, traffic revenue exceeded the pre-COVID level by almost four percent, which suggests significantly higher per capita revenue. The summer months in particular ensured brisk growth. It is noticeable that the promising number of guests from Switzerland and neighboring European countries could be kept at a very high level. But a large increase in guests from the USA and Southeast Asian countries – primarily Thailand and Indonesia – also made a major contribution, followed by Korea and the Arab region. Travelers from China, on the other hand, stayed away completely.
Not only did demand return to pre-pandemic levels last year, project and event activity on the Schilthornbahn also rose to an all-time high. The focus was always on the major SCHILTHORNBAHN 20XX project, which was officially launched with the groundbreaking ceremony at the last general assembly. At the same time, the first stage of the future Mürren-Birg-Schilthorn water supply and the Mürren and Birg transformer stations were completed. However, other projects should not be neglected: the popular sun terrace on the Allmendhubel was renovated, expanded and a new outdoor station was added. The IT network of the Schilthornbahn was also renewed and expanded. A secure and well-developed IT with a stable network across the entire area is now considered a basic requirement for a successful and efficient tourism company. The prerequisites for further digitization steps were created with the creation and implementation of a new system architecture and the construction and expansion of the extensive fiber optic network.
Furthermore, thanks to snow farming, the longest winter season to date, with 159 operating days, started on November 5, 2023. The expansion of the Skyline Snowpark on the Winteregg and on the Maulerhubel was also very well received in the freestyle scene and has resulted in renowned events stopping in the Schilthorn area in the future. The prerequisites for further digitization steps were created with the creation and implementation of a new system architecture and the construction and expansion of the extensive fiber optic network.
November 2023 will start the longest winter season so far with 159 operating days.
Proposals to the General Assembly on Friday, June 16, 2023
New elections to the Board of Directors: Ralph von Allmen from Mürren, a member of the Board of Directors, is stepping down from his post after 17 years. Daniel Kuster is proposed as his successor. Kuster has run the Hotel Edelweiss in Mürren with his wife since 1991. All other members of the Board of Directors will be proposed for a further term of office until the 2026 Annual General Meeting.
Fiscal year 2023 - so far
A positive development like in 2022 is already clearly evident in the current financial year. In excursion traffic, the figures for the first quarter are a full 50 percent higher than the record year 2018/19. A large increase can again be seen particularly from the Southeast Asian markets of Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Other populous countries with strong economic growth such as the Philippines or Vietnam will contribute to a further increase in visitor numbers. In winter sports, too, the balance sheet at the end of April this year showed a pleasing result despite the lack of snow in the winter: the figures for the Schilthornbahn are only two percent below the previous year. At the same time, the demolition of the Käthi transport cable car in March symbolized the start of construction work on the SCHILTHORNBAHN 20XX. The coordination and compatibility of construction and operation will be a challenging challenge in the near future and thus one of the most important marketing tasks. For this reason, a new reservation center was set up in the management building at the beginning of May.
Fiscal year 2023 – construction of the SCHILTHORNBAHN 20XX in focus
The further course of the financial year will be shaped by the implementation of the large-scale SCHILTHORNBAHN 20XX project. At the same time, other projects are being tackled to sustainably strengthen the attractiveness and operational reliability of excursion trips and winter sports. The Birg-Schilthorn water supply project will also be continued from spring and will be completed in October 2023. In this second stage, a water pressure line will be laid between Birg and Schilthorn and the expansion of the reservoir facilities on the Schilthorn will be carried out. The Lauterbrunnen power station will lay a second power line in the trench for the new lines, thus ensuring a redundant energy supply for the summit building. A new integrated checkout system for trains, parking, gastronomy and retail will also be introduced in autumn. The sales and payment processes are rapidly moving away from manual work steps and cash payments towards using the smartphone as an ordering and payment instrument at the same time. With the new system, all purchase and payment processes can be carried out in a single shopping cart, both on the smartphone, at the vending machine and at the checkout.
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