Florian Kar, the manager of the Russian market of the Tirol Tourism Council, tells about the novelties of the summer season in the Heart of the Alps, Tyrol, and invites everyone to the tourist exhibition The Alps in 2016 (19-21 October), which will be held in Innsbruck.
Mr. Kar, with what events does Tyrol plan to attract tourists in the coming summer season?
- A whole range of events and innovations! For example, the Yoga Festival in St. Anton am Arlberg from September 1 to 9, which offers everything from classical classes for different levels of training to workshops, Soul Motion dances, soulful conversations. 16 partner hotels will participate in this event, offering participants special rates.
Also this summer, a historical hiking trail called the Kaiserschützenweg (Kaiserschützenweg) opens. The two-kilometer road that existed during the battles of the First World War in 1916, laid at an altitude of 500 meters above sea level, leads from the fortress of Nauders through the forest to the defenses, past places destroyed in blood-bearing battles and shelters in the rocks. The imperial-royal troops during the reign of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy consisted of three regiments of mountain infantry, manned by local conscripts, who defended the borders of Tyrol and Vorarlberg. The Nauders Fortress houses a museum that contains a lot of information about the Imperial Majesty's arrows.
And what will the Mayrhofen resort, popular among Russians, offer?
- You are right, this resort enjoys special attention of Russians, especially in winter. An alpine trail called Pfeilspitzwand, which literally means "arrowhead wall", is expanding here in the coming season. Climbing the mountain takes about 3-4 hours for experienced climbers, since the length of the route has increased to 645 meters (previously, the length of the ascent was 400 m). This unique attraction guarantees mountaineers a lot of impressions while climbing the retaining rock of the dam located at the bottom of the reservoir. In 2016, a new "water trail" for climbers will also be laid here.
As you know, in another popular holiday region for Russians, in the Ötztal valley, the most "high-rise" motorcycle museum in Europe is opening
- Yes! This summer, motorcyclists on the road to Timelseokh are likely to encounter a new toll road barrier. The reason for the installation of the barrier, in fact, is the opening in April 2016 of the new motorcycle museum, Europe's only motorcycle museum, located high in the mountains and boasting 170 exhibits. Valuable two-wheeled vehicles of such brands as Motoguzzi, MV Augusta, Ducati, BMW, NSU, DKW, Zündapp, Triumph, Sunbeam, Norton, Matchless, AJS, Brough Superior, Vincent, Honda, Henderson are installed on a spacious area of 2,600 square meters., Indian and, of course, Harley Davidson.
How popular are mountain hiking trips among Russian tourists and which of them are the most popular?
In the highlands, almost under the clouds, there is a popular tourist route called "Adlerweg", which crosses Tyrol from East to West. Adlerweg in Tyrol is the most famous long-distance hiking route. On the map, the route looks like a silhouette of a soaring eagle. The route consists of 24 legs with a total length of 320 kilometers and passes through the most central part of the Alps between the Kaisergebirge and Arlberg slopes. The Adlerweg in eastern Tyrol is shorter but no less fun: 9 stages start at the foot of the Großvenediger and end at the Stüdlhütte hut at the base of Großglockner, Austria's highest mountain. The brave and the strong will have to walk 93 kilometers and overcome the ascent of almost 8000 high-altitude meters, and then descend almost the same number of kilometers down into the valley.
How else would you advise to get acquainted with all the beauty of the Alps, if the skis are already in the attic?
“Well, then it's time to get on the bike. Because Tyrol is popular not only among alpine skiing enthusiasts, but also attractive among cyclists. What could be more exciting than getting to know the spirit of the Alps on two wheels? Mountain bike is especially suitable for such purposes. Dedicated routes for mountain bikers with a total length of more than 5,900 kilometers are laid throughout the Tyrolean region. The longest roundabout in the Alps is called the Bike Trail Tirol and includes 32 stages through the Tyrol area with a length of approximately 1000 kilometers. Of particular interest is the ever-changing new bike trail called Bikeschaukel Tirol - 12,000 kilometers at an altitude of 25,000 meters above sea level and only one of 18 equipped lifts to help.
Cyclists on a regular, non-mountain bike will also not go to waste: Tyrol offers an extensive network of hiking trails with a total length of more than 900 kilometers. Electric bicycles are gaining popularity in all regions. Any tourist in Tyrol will find something to do during their holidays: on a racing bike through the winding mountain passes, on a mountain bike on the sheer single-lane rails or on an electric bike along the idyllic banks of the local rivers.
What are the novelties and innovations of the summer season in Tyrol in the hotel and restaurant business? What pleasant surprises await tourists here?
- The new Bichlalm Hotel in Kitzbühel opens its first summer season in 2016. Large hotels and small hotels in Kitzbühel welcome guests in the summer of 2016 with a new top management and a new recreation program - these are: Berggasthof Sonnbühel am Hahnenkamm, Ganslernalm, Gasthof Neuwirt, Gasthof Chizzo, Gasthof Schwarzer Adler and the Hochkitzbühel restaurant in the Hahnenkamm ski resort. Hornköpflhütte has reorganized its gastronomy department, a new Café S'Amtl and a small hotel Gasthof Hechenmoos are opening in Jochberg. Of course, what I have listed is not all..
What is interesting about theALPS exhibition for Russian travel industry specialists?
- theALPS - a summit meeting for representatives of the travel agency in the Alps. In 2016 it will be held in Innsbruck again. From 19 to 21 October 2016 our guests will be able to establish contacts with representatives of tour operators of the Alpine states. On October 20, a trading floor was opened specifically for these purposes for visitors. On the evening of October 20, a gala dinner will be held with the AlpNet Award for the most innovative proposals in the Alpine region. On October 21, within the framework of the symposium "Prospects for winter sports in the Alps", reports will be made and discussions will be held on the topic. Therefore, I advise you not to miss the chance and reserve your participation!
