At the Annual General Meeting of Blatten-Belalp Tourismus AG on 24 April 2024, Chairman of the Board René Kamer and CEO Mario Gertschen were able to present a profit after depreciation of CHF 2'232.38. A pleasing result in view of the investments in events and infrastructure.
René Kamer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Blatten-Belalp Tourismus AG, has many positive things to say about the past financial year. "One highlight was clearly the first realisation of the Belalp Hexe after the coronavirus pandemic. The event has enormous appeal for our destination, both nationally and internationally. It is part of Blatten-Belalp and ensures a high level of identification with our region. With the CD launch of Genderbüebu, which took place as part of Witches Night, Friday evening was already sold out and many visitors made their way to Blatten to discover our destination for the first time."
René Kamer describes the summer of 2023 as a challenge. The biggest challenge in the summer was the willingness of the Swiss to travel. For the first time since coronavirus, people were once again able to book holidays abroad unhindered, which had a massive impact on the number of guests, especially in the early summer months. However, a wonderful late summer and autumn were able to compensate for this and the numerous events once again generated over 200'000 overnight stays.
New CEO with positive results
Mario Gertschen, who has been managing the fortunes of Blatten-Belalp Tourismus AG as CEO since summer 2023, also draws a positive balance in his first year in office. "We can be satisfied with a 3% increase in overnight stays. As a ‘child of Belalp', I know the destination with all its strengths and challenges. Cooperation with the service partners and the neighbouring destinations is a central point for me. Only together can we take our region forward and position it in a targeted manner in an increasingly competitive environment. I am also fortunate to be able to count on a team with a lot of experience and enthusiasm. I am certain that we have enormous potential with the conditions in our destination, both in winter and especially in summer", says Gertschen.
Focus on international and online marketing
The previous course of strengthening cooperation with neighbouring tourism destinations will be consistently pursued in the future. "Strategically, we are working on advancing cooperation within the Aletsch Collective", says René Kamer. Particularly in the area of marketing abroad and in the digital sector, we only have the chance to take effective steps as a larger region. "Furthermore, we are establishing a closer link between the Tourist Office and Tourismus AG so that the strengths of the service partners and ourselves can be pooled even more", says Kamer.
In terms of operations, those responsible are well prepared for the 23/24 financial year. "The winter bookings for 23/24 were promising and we can draw a positive initial conclusion", says Mario Gertschen. "In summer, we are once again focusing on various events that are being continuously expanded and optimised, new offers in the area of themed trails and Alpine experiences and on showcasing our unique natural and cultural landscape. Highlights will certainly be the mountain finish of the Tour de Suisse in Blatten on 14 June 2024 and the Genderbüebu open air in Naters on 10 August 2024, which will bring thousands of visitors to our region", says Gertschen.