9th Ordinary General Meeting 2023/2024 Of Aletsch Arena AG Takes Place

Aletsch Arena AG can look back on a positive 2023/2024 financial year. The destination exceeded the one-million mark in overnight stays. Those responsible want to attract more major events to the region.

The Aletsch Arena tourism destination recorded a total of 1,007,000 overnight stays in the 2023/2024 tourism fiscal year (November 1, 2023 – October 31, 2024), an increase of 2.7% over the previous year. This increase is primarily due to the adjustment of the tourist tax regulations for holiday apartments in the municipality of Fiesch, which took place in December 2023. Hotel overnight stays fell by 5.9%. The closure of three hotels on Riederalp during the summer months contributed significantly to the decline in hotel overnight stays. Based on flat-rate billing, 708,440 overnight stays were recorded in the supplementary hotel sector, representing an increase of 4.59%.

Overnight stays in group accommodations (including campsites and mountain huts) increased by 1.7% compared to the previous year. While the national and European markets experienced a decline, primarily due to the poor weather in the first months of summer, the long-haul markets in the hotel sector grew by 88.5%. On the booking platform for tour operators from international markets, we recorded an increase of 12% with revenue of CHF 650,000. "It is essential for the Aletsch Arena to continue to be active in these markets – especially in Asia and North America – in order to attract customers who travel regardless of the weather and book well in advance," emphasizes Managing Director Philippe Sproll. "With a tourism magnet like the Great Aletsch Glacier, we are convinced that we have great potential to further develop these markets."

Association for Infrastructure Maintenance

On September 3, 2024, the municipalities of the Aletsch Arena, with the exception of Fieschertal, founded the special purpose association for infrastructure maintenance and entrusted Aletsch Arena AG with the management of activities and the coordination of work. The goal is to ensure consistent quality in the management and maintenance of hiking and mountain biking trails and to utilize synergies.

Targeted promotion of events

The Aletsch Arena aims to enliven the off-season with events and focus more on major events. Following the successful Enduro World Cup races in July 2024, the region is now planning to host two World Mountain Bike Championship races. "We are looking forward to this year's highlight with great enthusiasm and optimism," says Chairman of the Board of Directors Armin Berchtold. "This will be another opportunity to showcase our beautiful region to the whole world." The "Rollibock" open-air theater also attracted 6,300 people to the region, making it a popular hit.

New members of the Board of Directors

Hilar Manz, representing Aletsch Tourism, and Bruno Margelisch, representing the municipalities, were elected to the Board of Directors for a three-year term. Chairman of the Board of Directors Armin Berchtold and the other members of the Board of Directors were confirmed for the next three years.