Positive Summer For Schladming-Dachstein
After being named the most beautiful place in Austria as part of the ORF program “9 Places - 9 Treasures” last year, the Stoderzinken with its Friedenskircherl has become even more attractive. In order to cope with the increased flow of visitors, the operators of the Stoderzinken Alpenstrasse, together with the communities of Aich and Gröbming and with the support of the Schladming-Dachstein Tourism Association, have implemented a new visitor guidance concept based on a 15-point plan. After the summer, those responsible were able to draw a very positive conclusion. In particular, the allocation of time slots for buses and the use of shuttle buses and so-called “Stoder Rangers” have had a positive effect.
According to the tourism association's DREI visitor flow analysis, a significant increase in the number of guests was recorded compared to the previous year. The average frequency per day was evenly distributed, which meant there were no overloads. The Stoderzinken is particularly popular with national guests. The international guests mainly come from Germany.
Thomas Reingruber, mayor of the municipality of Gröbming, is satisfied: "Of course there were initially critical voices after winning the ORF audience vote. But we prepared well and, thanks to the Stoder Rangers and the other measures, were never in a situation where we would have reached the limit. Our goal was to significantly reduce private traffic on the Stoderzinken, and fortunately we succeeded very well." In addition to the traffic concept, an extensive signage and information system was also developed in collaboration with the Schladming-Dachstein Tourism Association. But infrastructural measures such as a new toilet facility, e-charging stations for e-bikes and a new toll payment system were also installed.
“On day one after the award as the most beautiful place in Austria, we worked together with the communities and local partners on solutions in order to be well prepared for the larger influx of visitors,” says Schladming-Dachstein Managing Director Mathias Schattleitner. “This is proof that active visitor flow management works and is possible. We have also made an important contribution to sustainability and increasing the quality of the visitors’ experience.”
Shuttle bus service and time slots for coaches were well received
One of the most important measures was the introduction of the shuttle bus service at Stoderzinken. A total of around 4,500 passengers used the new, practical service between July 8th and September 10th. The increase in the number of coaches at Stoderzinken in this summer season was also noticeable: more than 100 buses headed to the town north of the Ennstal, which corresponds to a three to four-fold increase compared to previous years. “I am pleased that the cooperation regarding visitor guidance with the communities and the Schladming-Dachstein region was successful,” says Wolfram Steiner from the Stoderzinken Weggenossenschaft.” The increased frequency compared to previous years was achieved through consistent utilization.
Individual traffic reduced, added value increased
Another innovation that has proven particularly successful was the introduction of the “Stoder Ranger”. These welcomed guests and acted as an important source of information for visitors. Your service was also particularly valuable when it came to instructing coaches on the mountain. In parallel to the shuttle bus service, the pricing policy for individual transport was adjusted during the Styrian summer holidays. Car journeys were no longer included in the summer card. This measure, in conjunction with the shuttle bus offer, effectively contributed to reducing peak loads from cars without significantly changing the average utilization. In addition, this led to increased added value, which will benefit future investments and offers at Stoderzinken.
Extension and expansion of the measures for 2024 on plan
After the measures implemented have proven to be so successful, those responsible are planning a continuation and possibly an expansion for 2024. One of the considerations is the possible extension of the shuttle bus season and an investment in additional ones information systems. In order to concretize the next steps, detailed discussions with the interest groups are on the agenda. The Stoderzinken travel cooperative will work on the future concept together with the communities of Aich and Gröbming, representatives of the catering industry, rental companies and the Schladming-Dachstein tourism association.
