Swiss Lift Co’s Start The Winter Season With Confidence
After the Covid pandemic, the next challenge is just around the corner for the mountain railway industry. Rising electricity costs and the threat of a power shortage are jeopardizing a carefree start to winter. But the industry is "crisis-resistant" and has taken precautions. The guests are looking forward to the winter holidays, Switzerland is and remains a very popular tourist destination.
Although at least the second Corona winter was very positive in terms of sales and visitor numbers, the mountain railway industry is longing for a little more normality again. However, the discourse surrounding an impending power shortage put the industry under pressure, but sharpened the awareness that a fact-based discussion on the subject of energy is absolutely necessary. At a joint media conference with Switzerland Tourism, Berno Stoffel, Director of Swiss Cable Cars, confirmed that the mountain railways are very well prepared for the coming winter.
Sustainable winter tourism
Last winter showed once again that winter sports are very popular. People want to go to the mountains, they are looking for exercise and fresh air. With more than
The 21/22 winter season recorded 25 million skier days; an increase of almost 16 percent in a 5-year comparison. This was also reflected in sales: at CHF 828 million, they were at the same level as 12 years ago. These pleasing results were possible thanks to the combination of volume effects and price optimisations, the loyalty of Swiss guests and also thanks to the return of foreign guests. In a European comparison, Switzerland was even able to gain 6% market share.
"What is often forgotten is that the cable cars generate added value in the destinations and secure numerous jobs," says Berno Stoffel about the economic importance of the cable car companies. “The mountain railways are the economic engine in the mountain regions, because every fourth person in the mountain region works directly or indirectly for tourism. Without mountain railways there is no tourism, without tourism there is no life in the mountain regions. In this respect, winter tourism contributes to economic sustainability.”
Winter sports are «in»
Skiing is still one of the most popular sports, especially for young people, as a joint study by BASPO and the Swiss Sports Observatory shows. 59% of 10-14 year olds ski or snowboard, compared to 43% of 15-19 year olds. A recently commissioned market analysis shows that winter sports are considered healthy by over 90% of those surveyed and that skiers and snowboarders consider them worth what they cost. It is also pleasing that Switzerland Tourism is expecting 1.5% more overnight stays from all guests in the mountain destinations in the coming winter season than in winter 2021/2022.
Renewable energies with great potential
In Switzerland, the cable cars consumed 210 GWh of electricity last year, which is only 0.34% of electricity consumption in Switzerland as a whole. This includes 0.1% for technical snowmaking. Berno Stoffel points out that energy costs for cable cars have been an issue for a long time: “Electricity prices make up a significant part of the cable car budget. There are a number of companies that produce electricity themselves and rely on renewable energies.» The industry wants to use the potential of the electricity shortage to optimize consumption and boost energy production.
Austerity measures
The industry is ready to make its contribution and has developed a simulation tool with over 90 measures. It turns out that the mountain railways have already done a lot to optimize energy in recent years. Accordingly, the potential of voluntary savings measures is limited. Saving measures with a greater energetic effect quickly lead to noticeable restrictions on the supply. "The most effective measures include reducing travel speed and operating times, and limiting room temperatures," explains the Director of Swiss Cable Cars. As far as possible, the mountain railways will also implement these and other measures. The association expects transparent communication, inclusion and comprehensible criteria from politicians,
Outlook winter season 2022/2023
A crisis is always an opportunity. Tourism, winter sports, the mountain railways and the association face the challenges, look optimistically to the future and are prepared. Together with the members, the Swiss Cable Car Association finds solutions to enable guests to enjoy their holiday dreams in the mountains and to satisfy their longing.
