Gletscherbahnen Kaprun - FY20

At its virtual general meeting, Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG presented an extraordinary 2019/20 financial year in many respects. On November 30, 2019, the world's most modern cable car, the 3K K-onnection, opened the direct connection from Kaprun to the Kitzsteinhorn. In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic suddenly changed the world. The COVID-19-related decline in the number of guests by 19% compared to the previous year caused sales to fall by 15% to 38.9 million euros. Thanks to the successful start in winter 2019/20 and strict cost management, the annual loss could be reduced to 0.7 million euros.

A slide show of emotions

The 2019/20 financial year began on October 1, 2019 with great emotions and expectations. The Kaprun generation project, the cable car connection from the center of Kaprun via the Maiskogel to the Kitzsteinhorn, was about to be completed after more than two years of construction. The new ALPIN CARD, an attractive ticket offer that enables winter sports from the Kitzsteinhorn via the Schmittenhöhe to Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Leogang, Fieberbrunn with one ticket, was an additional highlight in the offer that was immediately appreciated by guests.

The impressive floating with the new 3K K-onnection triggered a lot of positive guest feedback. The world's most modern three-cable gondola also helps to reduce up to 1.5 million kilometers by car in Kaprunertal. From October 2019 to the end of February 2020, thanks to the great number of guests, sales compared to the same period of the previous year were exceeded by 20%. In retrospect, this has partially cushioned the extreme sales losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

From March 2020, the financial year was marked by the first COVID-19 lockdown and the travel restrictions in summer 2020. From March 16 to May 28, 2020, all railways were officially shut down, the gastronomy, which usually contributes 20% of sales, was included Prohibition to enter occupied. From June 2020 to September 2020, the number of guests increased, not least due to the new attractions on offer, from an initial 30% to 70% compared to the previous year. The optimal weather situation in September 2020 even allowed the number of guests to rise above the previous year's level. The main focus was on compliance with the many COVID-19 protective measures. A specially developed COVID-19 code of conduct guaranteed common, safe togetherness on the mountain.

In this special 2019/20 financial year with lockdown and severely restricted travel freedom, 924,000 guests were welcomed thanks to the high quality of the range of products and services. Sales revenues fell by 15% to 38.9 million euros. A successful first half of the 2019/20 financial year and strict cost management made it possible for Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG - despite the COVID-19 crisis - to limit its annual loss to 0.7 million euros.

Significantly greater sales losses had to be accepted due to a drop in guests of 85% in the past winter season 2020/21. Due to the border closings, the ban on accommodation and the closed gastronomy, the excellent winter sports conditions were mainly reserved for regional guests who enthusiastically accepted the offer.

“The longing for the mountains is greater than ever. New offers - such as the 3K K-onnection, the Kitzsteinhorn Explorer Tour with National Park Ranger or the Maiskogel Trail for mountain bikers - are highlights this summer. The Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG offers a varied and sustainable nature and adventure offer on the Kitzsteinhorn all year round. We are convinced that the glacier region with guaranteed snow and the imposing high mountain landscape on the border to the Hohe Tauern National Park will continue to be enthusiastically received by many guests in the future, ”emphasizes Ing.

Facts: Fiscal year 2019/2020 (October 1, 2019 - September 30, 2020)