Tyrol Hosts "Austria's Best Mountain Railways" Conference

Tirol hosted a new edition of the summer conference of the Best Austrian Summer Mountain Railways, an event that brought together more than 90 cable car operators and tourism sector representatives to redefine the role of mountains in the summer season.

In the Alps, one no longer ascends solely for skiing. This is the guiding principle behind the strategy of the 82 certified members of the Best Mountain Railways quality seal.

Hiking, cycling, local culture, or natural theme parks – everything has a place if combined with vision, responsible management, and infrastructure that allows access for all audiences.

Franz Hörl, President of the Austrian Cable Car Association, summarizes it thus: “Cable cars are key for summer tourism. Often, they are the reason a person chooses to come.”

The data supports this: those who use cable cars during summer holidays spend an average of €172.80 per day and stay 7.3 nights at their destination. Their presence is an economic driver that branches out into accommodations, restaurants, shops, and activities.

A Consolidating Trend

Astrid Steharnig-Staudinger, Director of Austrian Tourism, provided the statistic that summarizes the current moment: 13 million Europeans plan a mountain holiday in Austria this year. This figure not only illustrates an upward trend but also signals a paradigm shift. The mountain is no longer just the winter setting; it is a destination for all seasons.

With cable cars as allies, Austria's alpine regions are committed to a model that generates value without losing identity. Ascending the mountain in summer has also become an essential experience.