TFA Tourism Forum Alpine Regions Topic To Be 'When Nature Decides'

In the cradle of alpine skiing, decision-makers, thought leaders, and shapers of alpine tourism will once again gather in spring 2026. We are currently working on a top-class program with inspiring presentations, exclusive behind-the-scenes insights, and forum tours that will showcase Lech and the Arlberg region from new perspectives.

The Alpine region is not a game of chance. Natural events, thawing permafrost, and global change processes often have an abrupt impact – leaving little room for compromise.

Monday afternoon at TFA 2026 is dedicated to precisely these moments: when safety, technology, responsibility, and the future need to be rethought. With insights from crisis communication and reconstruction, from engineering and alpine infrastructure – and with a view far beyond our planet.

• Fernando Lehner reports from his practical experience following the glacier collapse and rockfall in Blatten.

• Lukas Arenson and Thomas Brunner show how technology helps to deal with thawing permafrost.

• Heino Falcke opens up the view of change as a universal, permanent state – between man and cosmos.

• Three key points that make it clear: Adaptation is not an option. It is a prerequisite.

Morning 09:00 - 12:30

Welcome to Lech

• Opening of the 35th TFA Tourism Forum Alpine Regions by Roland Zegg Site assessment at eye levelThe mountain does not negotiate…

• Salome Meyer, Swiss Ambassador to Austria Does traditional tourism have a future – how can mountain railways maintain their social legitimacy?

• Thomas Bieger, Tourism Economist & Professor, University of St. Gallen Internationality is part of Lech Zürs' DNA

• Christoph Brunner, CEO & Tourism Director Lech Zürs Tourism Kitzbühel: A classic reinvents itself

• Viktoria Veider-Walser, Managing Director of Kitzbühel Tourism

• Lunch break: Exchange & communication in the Lechwelten region

Afternoon 13:35 - 16:15

WHEN NATURE DECIDES

• Glacier collapse and landslide in Blatten/Lötschental: From the rubble, the future grows. Fernando Lehner, Head of Information for the Lötschental Regional Command Staff, Valais

• Passive thermosiphons at Piz Nair/St. Moritz – innovative & sustainable technology against thawing permafrost Lukas Arenson, Principal Geotechnical Engineer BGC Engineering

• Thomas Brunner, Head of Cable Cars, Engadin St. Moritz Mountains AG Transformation of the world

• Humans and Cosmos: Change as a permanent state Heino Falcke, Professor of Astrophysics and Radio Astronomy, Radboud University Nijmegen (NL)

• Farewell and preview of the evening's program

Evening program from 6:30 pm

Get-together at Dine Around - Variety and enjoyment in Oberlech

Arrival & reception at the Hotel Montana, Oberlech, by Patrick Ortlieb, member of the ÖSV board, former Olympic champion and world champion.

An aperitif, offered by the municipality of Lech, kicks off the Dine Around Party in Oberlech. The party creates a lively, relaxed atmosphere for diverse encounters and conversations, continuing the day's discussions in an enjoyable way.

An evening with an event-like atmosphere that creates closeness – between people, ideas and taste.

You can find the full program and all background information here:

https://tourismusforum.ch/