Bergbahnen Sorenberg - Rothorn Expansion Delayed

Following the closure of operations decreed by the canton for the period from December 22nd, 2020 to January 8th, 2021, the 4-day permit, which was only issued hesitantly afterwards, while maintaining the significant restrictions on the catering trade, the Board of Directors of Bergbahnen Sörenberg AG (BBS) expects one Sales decline of around 50% compared to the previous year and a loss of around 4 million francs for the 2020/21 operating year. Further projects are being delayed, but the tourism offerings are being pushed forward. 

The crisis clearly showed the dependencies of the individual branches of the tourist industry: If one link fails (e.g. the restaurant business), the whole company suffers. The rigid Lucerne restrictions led to a distortion of competition and the weakest result in Central Switzerland in the seasonal monitoring of cable cars in Switzerland. Liquidity is almost used up at a time of year when it is normally at its highest, and the obligations to employees and the company could only be guaranteed with bridging loans. With the exception of short-time work compensation, it has not yet been possible to benefit from hardship measures, which further exacerbates the situation.

Rothorn 1 year later - planning continues

In the current situation, which can hardly be predicted, all projects and investments must be honestly checked and sensibly selected. Anything else is not conducive to the company's existence. What is needed is the flexibility to plan strategically in advance without jeopardizing the short-term operational ability to act. For this reason, the board of directors of BBS decided to postpone the "ROTHORN RETROFIT" project by one year. The opening of the new cable car is now scheduled for December 2023. The BAV building permit should still be received by spring 2021 so that potential investors can be offered concrete prospects.

Corporate Responsibility

An immediate start of construction would contradict the bad winter and the uncertain economic situation. As much as it would be necessary to invest at full throttle from the perspective of the competition, there is an understanding that the current situation can only be mastered by consciously stopping on the march. Bergbahnen Sörenberg are confident that they will be able to survive this situation thanks to the support of numerous competent and responsible partners.

Lighthouses and productions as the backbone

The current crisis shows that tourism competitiveness after Corona will be decisive. This can only be achieved with modern and popular products. With the "ROTHORN RETROFIT" project, the Brienzer Rothorn is to be staged and established as a pioneering experience platform for the topics of sustainability and the biosphere and thus as a cantonal tourism beacon. This should encourage year-round tourism and create additional resilience.