AK Tirol Demands Reduced Tariffs For The Local Population!

Even though tourism is an important economic factor in Tyrol, we must not forget that the local population lives in Tyrol all year round, pays taxes here and contributes directly or indirectly to the success of local tourism. "It is absolutely clear that the needs and interests of Tyroleans must be taken into account just as appropriately as those of holidaymakers," explains AK President Erwin Zangerl. The AK plenary assembly also follows this argument and spoke out in favor of a discount at its last meeting: locals should be able to use the summer and winter tourism offer at reduced rates, was the unanimous opinion.

The fact that the cost of living in Tyrol is the highest in Austria, while wages are among the lowest in Austria, has long been a known annoyance. For this reason, many people, especially families and single parents, can no longer afford the leisure and cultural offerings. The entrance fees for using the local infrastructure are very expensive. For example, it is not an isolated case that a family of four who do not have a special card such as the leisure ticket or the snow card, etc., have to pay between 120 and 180 euros in entrance fees for a day of skiing together, depending on the destination.

For social, economic and especially health policy reasons, it is essential that the use of tourism infrastructure remains affordable for locals:

• On the one hand, affordable use of infrastructure is an incentive to engage in individual and group sports activities. This not only improves health but also social well-being.
• On the other hand, cheaper entry prices also contribute to long-term physical safety, for example when children regularly practice proper swimming.
• In addition, reduced tariffs also help to strengthen the acceptance of the often very burdened local population towards the tourist hotspots in Tyrol.

In addition to the direct health and social benefits, there are also long-term economic benefits from reduced tariffs for the local Tyrolean population. "A healthy and satisfied population strengthens the positive image of Tyrol as an attractive travel destination. If we don't get the locals on board, this will sooner or later lead to serious problems," warns Zangerl.

Tyrol's AK President is therefore calling on those responsible for politics to develop organizational and legal conditions for reduced rates in summer and winter tourism, with the involvement of social partners and stakeholders in tourism, so that Tyrol's leisure and cultural offerings are affordable for the local population.