“Resilience in tourism – innovation and cooperation across borders” was the theme of the third Euregio network meeting Bavaria–Tyrol, which took place on Tuesday, 20 May, under the lead of the Euregio Zugspitze-Wetterstein-Karwendel at the congress centre in Seefeld. How can cross-border cooperation in tourism be strengthened? What innovative approaches are required for sustainable development in the Alpine region? What are the current challenges facing our tourism sector? These questions were discussed and examined during the networking meeting.
A highlight of the programme was the panel discussion with Governor Anton Mattle, Senior Ministerial Counsellor Marion Appold representing the Bavarian State Minister Michaela Kaniber, and Tyrolean Member of the European Parliament Sophia Kircher. The discussion focused on the question: “Ensuring acceptance – how can tourism be beneficial for all?”
“Our European region Bavaria–Tyrol stands for sustainable and inclusive tourism. However, tourism does not only generate wealth: precisely because of its great importance for both Tyrol and Bavaria, it also assumes ecological and social responsibility,” emphasised Governor Mattle, adding: “It is important to utilise the tourism potential throughout the entire region and thereby distribute tourism across the whole of Tyrol and throughout the year. Both Tyrol and Bavaria benefit from cross-border cooperation when there is a meaningful differentiation of the tourism offer and when the population is actively involved in decision-making processes.”
Local and regional politicians as well as representatives of the Tyrolean-Bavarian Euregios travelled to attend the exchange between the two regions. The President of the Euregio Zugspitze-Wetterstein-Karwendel, Landrat Anton Speer, found clear and direct words: “Cross-border cooperation thrives on exchange and networking. The third Euregio network meeting Bavaria–Tyrol once again provides an excellent opportunity to maintain and intensify this dialogue.”
Impulses for regional resilience
At the opening of the event, the renowned futurologist Andreas Reiter (ZTB Zukunftsbüro) spoke about regional resilience in tourism – the ability of a region to respond appropriately to crises and far-reaching changes and to implement long-term solutions. He emphasised that resilience does not result from a single measure, but emerges from a well-founded interaction between economy, environment, society and politics. Especially in border regions such as Bavaria and Tyrol, coordination, communication and joint strategic development play a central role.
Together with Regional Councillor for Tourism Mario Gerber, Thomas Holz, Member of the Bavarian State Parliament, and Elias Walser, Managing Director of the Seefeld region, the current challenges facing tourism in the Euregio Bavaria–Tyrol were addressed. These include climate change, seasonal dependency, labour shortages and overburdened infrastructure. “Regional resilience in tourism requires innovative approaches that combine digitalisation, cross-border cooperation and sustainable development. Projects based on creative solutions and partnership pave the way for a future-oriented and stable tourism development in the Alpine region,” stated Regional Councillor Gerber.
The network meeting concluded on Wednesday, 21 May, with an excursion to the historic Holzerhütte in Scharnitz. There, participants gained insights into the history of timber use – accompanied by a traditional Kaiserschmarrn speciality prepared directly on a wood-fired stove.