Summer Conference Of The 'Best Austrian Summer Mountain Railways' Held

Silvrettaseilbahn AG and Hochzeiger Bergbahnen Pitztal AG hosted this year's summer conference of the Best Austrian Summer Mountain Railways in Tyrol. Over 90 cable car operators and numerous representatives of the Austrian tourism industry participated in the two-day event.

The program included visits to quality-certified mountain experiences in the Ischgl/Samnaun and Hochzeiger Pitztal regions. Discussions included success factors for a strong mountain summer, the further development of member companies, and their sustainability measures. Experts from the tourism and cable car industries shared their clear views.

"Cable cars are no longer just a winter topic," emphasizes Franz Hörl, chairman of the Cable Car Association at the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. "On the contrary: They are a key success factor for summer tourism in the Alps – and often the deciding factor in choosing a vacation destination."

On average, guests stay 7.3 nights and spend 172.80 euros per day

According to a recent guest survey, around 40 percent of summer vacationers would choose another region if there were no cable car service available. Guests who use a cable car in summer spend an average of €172.80 per day – including €78 for accommodation, €24.20 for dining, €20.60 for transportation, €12.10 for shopping, €11.60 for cable car tickets, and €8.40 in sporting goods stores. Furthermore, these guests stay an average of 7.3 nights in the region and use a cable car on 4.7 days.

"Today's summer guests expect more than just a ride up the mountain," says Kornel Grundner, spokesperson for the Best Austrian Summer Mountain Railways. "They're looking for experiences close to nature, a slower pace of life, and inspiring entertainment. The Best Austrian Summer Mountain Railways seal of approval represents a truly guaranteed experience."

During the summer conference, representatives of the 82 certified member companies discussed their offerings, success criteria, and future potential. The member companies meet over 100 defined quality criteria and position themselves with thematic focuses such as family, adventure, enjoyment, nature, and culture. Recertification takes place every three years, ensuring the seal of quality remains a reliable benchmark for high-quality summer experiences in the mountains.

Whether hiking, active or leisurely holidays in Ischgl/Samnaun or fun and games for the whole family at Hochzeiger in the Pitztal – the host regions scored highly at the summer conference with a wide range of summer offers.

“In Ischgl, every guest experiences the summer holiday they dream of – packed with activities such as hiking, mountain and e-biking, wellness and plenty of enjoyment,” say Markus Walser and Günther Zangerl, board members of Silvrettaseilbahn AG, which is certified as an adventure and family mountain.

"At Hochzeiger in the Pitztal, everything revolves around the Swiss stone pine. Games, fun, and interesting facts about this rare tree species make a trip to the Hochzeiger ZirbenPark exciting for all ages. Those looking for even more adventure can experience a fast-paced ride on three wheels with the Swiss stone pine carts or let off steam on the 11.5 km of single trails while downhill biking," adds Thomas Fleischhacker, Managing Director of Hochzeiger Bergbahnen Pitztal AG, which is certified as a family mountain.

"Mountain experiences are at the heart of our tourism offering: They combine impressive natural surroundings with active recreation and appeal to a quality-conscious, nature-loving target group. Our current analyses show that around 43 million people in ten European markets are planning a mountain, hiking, or mountain biking holiday this year – 13 million of them in Austria. This clearly shows that mountain holidays are not only popular, but also a strong driver of tourism value creation. Austria's cable cars play a key role in this: They open up alpine regions comfortably and safely, create access to year-round nature experiences, and at the same time are a driving force for innovation in new mountain offerings. As such, they are indispensable partners for the further development of year-round tourism in Austria," says Astrid Steharnig-Staudinger, Managing Director of the Austrian National Tourist Board.