Summer Meeting Of WKO Cable Car Association Takes Place In Kitz’
Members of the quality initiative of the WKÖ cable car association met to further develop the adventure offers and sustainability measures
The mountain summer is still in trend. This is confirmed by the most recent flash survey among the 77 members of the best Austrian summer mountain railways, who met in the Kitzbühel, Westendorf and Waidring (Tyrol) region for the 2023 strategy conference. The current booking situation promises a similarly high demand in 2023 as in the previous year. "We are pleased to be able to get more and more people enthusiastic about the alpine mountain summer," says Kornel Grundner, spokesman for the best Austrian summer mountain railways at the summer conference, which is now a fixed date for the best Austrian summer mountain railways, a quality initiative of the WKÖ specialist association of the cable cars, is. "The demand shows that the experience and quality guarantee that the seal of approval promises
The reason for the strong demand is the variety of mountain experiences that the best Austrian summer mountain railways offer summer guests. "With the continuous further development of the summer mountain offers, we aim to appeal to new holiday guests and to inspire regular guests again and again," says Grundner. The flash survey shows that holiday guests actually expect innovations: the trend is towards short holidays. The guests stay shorter, but come to the region more often. But this requires “new things on the mountain” on a regular basis.
Sport and fun for the whole family
This year, the best Austrian summer mountain railways are expanding offers for families and holidaymakers who love sports. The host region of this year's summer conference shows what this can look like: Children and adults can use augmented reality technology to see dinosaurs wandering through the Triassic Park on the Steinplatte. Kitzbühel offers its action-loving guests, for example, the Streif adventure hike and bike trails. In addition to the "Alpinolino" family offer, Westendorf has been offering a new mountain adventure world with a panoramic circular route and unforgettable natural impressions since this summer.
Sustainability is becoming a must-have
The focus also remains on the further development of operational sustainability measures in the economic, ecological and social dimensions. The flash survey shows that all mountain railways surveyed will take new steps in the area of sustainability in 2023. These range from expansion in the area of mobility, eg through e-bus shuttles and barrier-free mobility options, to energy savings through professional monitoring, the construction of hydroelectric power plants and new educational trails for children.
"We take our task of creating sustainable mountain experiences that are in harmony with nature and the region seriously," adds Grundner. "This is also what our guests, employees and partners want and expect more and more from year to year."
Astrid Steharnig-Staudinger, Managing Director of the Austrian Tourist Board, also confirmed this during the strategy conference. “Sustainability plays an important role for our guests when making holiday decisions. Austria's cable cars, with their diverse sustainability initiatives, enable you to experience nature in a climate-friendly, unique way and a wide range of outdoor activities in the unique Austrian mountains. You not only make an important contribution to regional value creation: you also take responsibility for our environment and thus help us to make Austria one of the most sustainable tourism destinations in the world," says Steharnig-Staudinger.
Summer conference as a visitor magnet
Not only the demand for new mountain experiences and sustainability measures is growing, but also the demand for the summer conference. Over 100 mountain railway workers came to Tyrol to exchange personal information on site. In addition to the visit to the mountain experiences in the Kitzbühel, Westendorf and Waidring region, the conference part took place with activity reports and lectures. Among the guests were the tourism experts Astrid Steharnig-Staudinger, Managing Director of Austria Advertising and Hubert Siller, Head of the Department for Tourism & Leisure Management at the Management Center Innsbruck. In line with the topic of further development, the new website www.sommer-bergbahnen.at was also presented at the summer conference, on which holiday guests and partners can find out about the initiative,
"Year after year, the summer conference proves the importance of cooperation with the best Austrian summer mountain railways. Although the exchange takes place throughout the year, we are very pleased that so many colleagues came to Tyrol in person. This encourages us to continue working in the same way in order to shape the mountain summer of tomorrow,” concludes Grundner.
About the “Best Austrian Summer Mountain Railways” seal of approval
The quality seal Best Austrian Summer Mountain Railways is an initiative of the Association of Cable Cars (Austrian Chamber of Commerce). The seal of quality unites the experts and pioneers of local summer mountain tourism and now has 77 members with 94 themed mountains. The seal of approval is an important decision-making criterion when choosing a destination, especially for summer holidaymakers who have no mountain experience. Only companies that meet at least 160 quality criteria become members of the best Austrian summer mountain railways. Specialized in five theme worlds - adventure, family, panorama & nature experience, enjoyment, art & culture - the members have to pass a recertification every three years.
