Salzburg Ski Areas Forecast Losses Of € 320 Mil This Year.
With their partial operation, Salzburg's ski liftsensure a piece of normality in difficult times. A current study by Manova has now proven that keeping it open is not profitable from a purely economic point of view.
According to the market research institute Manova, Salzburg's lifts are expected to experience a fall in sales of 85% in the current winter season. It is particularly painful this year that the lack of first-time visitors (minus 75%) will result in a drastic loss of income. “In the current winter, we are hardly selling any multi-day tickets, which are otherwise the big sales drivers. As a result, a loss of € 320 million is forecast this year. The Salzburg tourism industry as a whole will have to cope with a gross revenue loss of € 2.3 billion in the Corona winter, ”explains the spokesman for the Salzburg cable car industry, Dr. Erich Egger, from Schmittenhöhebahn AG. Due to the fact that the cable cars generate 80% of their turnover in winter,
Attractive offer for locals
Despite everything, the Salzburg cable car industry continues to agree to provide the Salzburg population with an attractive ski offer in the Corona winter. “In any case, the large ski areas will continue to operate until the beginning of March and will also expand their offerings during the semester break,” says Egger. “We see this as an investment in the future of winter sports, especially now there are many children and young people who are taking advantage of the offer. Last but not least, we would like to give something back to the Salzburg population and the locals with our offer and further consolidate our image as a leading winter sports destination, ”emphasizes Egger. It remains to be seen whether a conciliatory end of the season can be achieved in March with a possible end to the lockdown. “Maybe the hotel and catering industry can still unlock. Hope dies last ”, says Egger. In any case, the guests are pleased with the great slope conditions. Many would also come from Salzburg to Zell am See.
Summer season starts in May
Kornel Grundner of the Leoganger Bergbahnen thinks the same way. "We will of course be there when the catering and hotel industry opens up and will expand our range." There is a basic offer during the week, on the weekends and in the semester break, they want to expand the lift operation. This is of course not economical, but trying to make ends meet with economical operation, short-time work and federal aid. “The sales replacement at the end of the previous year worked very well,” says Grundner. Basically, the planning is already in the summer. “We have our bike park, which worked perfectly last summer. Our offers were very popular. We will therefore, if possible,
Veronika Scheffer from the Zauchensee Liftgesellschaft also wants to keep the reduced lift offer so that at least the permanent staff can be retained. “We have a social responsibility for our employees and their families. We would also like to offer the many season ticket holders an offer. "
With momentum into the future
People in Gaissau-Hintersee are very happy about the current opening of the ski areas. The natural snow area near the city of Salzburg reopened on January 16 after a two-year break. "We have 85% day visitors in the ski area and currently all lifts are in operation", explains Nina Brandauer from the Gaissauer Bergbahnen. On the very first weekend, both Gaissau and Hintersee were well attended. There have been no parking or capacity problems so far. “We have sold over 1,000 season tickets and are also well attended during the week. For this reason we are positive and fully motivated to create a good winter season by Easter, ”says Brandauer. “For us, the economic result is not our top priority this year. We are happy about the loyalty of our guests and want to build trust again.
