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ItalianoUpdated 25.04.2023
Three tourism associations focus on joint knowledge transfer and awareness raising in nature conservation.
The tourism associations Kufsteinerland, Kitzbüheler Alpen St. Johann in Tirol and Wilder Kaiser are jointly celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Kaisergebirge nature reserve. In lectures, hikes and workshops, but also with a joint information folder and much more, the topic of nature conservation from the Wilder to the Zahmen Kaiser will be addressed.
On 29 April 1963 the time had come: the province of Tyrol declared the Kaisergebirge a nature reserve. 60 years later, the topic of nature conservation has lost none of its topicality - on the contrary. The way we deal with our environment, the preservation of habitats and biodiversity, but also how we humans use nature as a recreational space and a place of balance, is of intense concern to us in 2023. The reasons given by the advocates of the nature reserve at the time were very similar to those of today: the protection of flora and fauna with all their local peculiarities, the prohibition of any motorised traffic or (further) cable car construction, the preservation of this unique mountain world for future generations and the preservation of an "oasis of tranquillity" in a time and society characterised by economic growth.
It is not least thanks to the cooperation of a wide variety of people and associations that the nature reserve was decided upon in the first place. From alpine associations to political parties, from scientific institutions to committed mountaineers and, of course, the initiator, the owner of Berghof Pfandl in the Kaisertal at the time, Franz Schwaighofer, numerous people campaigned for the creation of the nature reserve in the early 1960s. (Note: More about the history of the creation of the nature reserve can be found in the press kit for download at the end of the page)
Joint initiative for knowledge transfer
Cooperation is also needed today if the Kaiser Mountains with all their special features are to continue to be preserved and protected for future generations. That is why the tourism associations around the Kaisergebirge (TVB Kufsteinerland, TVB Kitzbüheler Alpen St. Johann in Tirol and TVB Wilder Kaiser) have joined forces on the occasion of the 60th anniversary to work together to raise awareness, impart knowledge and preserve the wonderful nature that is the habitat of us all. The first joint event already took place in mid-April: Franz Goller, biologist and Tyrolean representative for the Kaisergebirge nature reserve, gave a lecture on the history, present and future of the nature reserve at the Kufstein University of Applied Sciences. Those invited were mainly interested people who themselves travel with guests in the Kaisergebirge - such as mountain and hiking guides, bike guides, tourism employees and many more - and thus act as multipliers of knowledge about the nature reserve.
The audience was numerous - the lecture hall was filled to capacity and many people also listened online and joined in the discussion at the end. It also became clear that the need for knowledge and exchange on the topic of the "Kaisergebirge Nature Reserve" is great and further events and (educational) offers on the topic were called for. The three tourism associations are obviously on the right track with the joint production of information material - they are currently working on a folder on the Kaisergebirge nature reserve, which is to convey knowledge about the nature reserve to both guests and locals. Many people are often not even aware that they are in a nature reserve. This awareness is to be strengthened again.
In addition, each tourism association contributes to a comprehensive engagement with nature conservation with events and activity offers. From the family hike into the moor at the Wilder Kaiser, to the themed hike on the topic of "medicinal plants" in Kufsteinerland, to the "Outdoor Alpine Gallery" in Kaiserbachtal and much, much more. The activities will not stop at the end of the "anniversary year" - in fact, the activities in 2023 should be a prelude to further engagement. Be it themed hikes, information and educational events or simply the regular exchange and transfer of knowledge among each other. Because regardless of whether it's Kufsteinerland, St. Johann or Wilder Kaiser: the main reason why guests spend their holidays in the regions around the Kaisergebirge is the wonderful nature.
Krösslhuber: "Nature is the basis for tourism and quality of life"
This is also confirmed by tangible figures: "We know from surveys that nature is the most important reason for our guests to choose a holiday in the Wilder Kaiser, both in summer with 78 percent and in winter with 45 percent," says Lukas Krösslhuber, Managing Director of the TVB Wilder Kaiser. "However, nature is not only the basis of our successful and responsible tourism, but also the basis of our quality of life. In this respect, nature is worth protecting per se, and the status of 'nature reserve' is enormously valuable for this. I pay the greatest respect to the people who recognised this already 60 years ago - a time when economic growth was the highest goal." With the "Green Arrival" project, years of commitment to sustainable mobility on site, various offers in the activity programme, but also the clear commitment to nature conservation in the TVB's self-image, the topic is writ large at the Wilder Kaiser.
Riedel: "Helping to shape and protect recreational space"
Gernot Riedel, Managing Director of the Tourism Association Kitzbüheler Alpen St. Johann in Tirol, also emphasises the importance of nature as a recreational area: "For us as a tourism association, the 'Koasa' was and is our nature and recreational area par excellence - nature speaks for itself and only needs to be staged a little and carefully. The area with the Niederkaiserkamm, the Kaiserbachtal or also the high alpine pastures is a special spot on earth, which we want to help shape within the scope of our possibilities, but also protect." Guests also see this, for example when they walk along the newly designed nature knowledge trail on the subject of nature conservation in the Kaiserbachtal: At 7 stations, the "Alpine Outdoor Gallery" provides all kinds of interesting information about flora and fauna, the environment, alpine farming and much more. In addition, a weekly guided "Anniversary Hike into the Kaisergebirge Nature Reserve" will be offered in summer 2023 to mark the anniversary.
Mair: "Preserving the beauty and history of the Kaisergebirge"
The TVB Kufsteinerland looks back "a few" years further: "The Tischoferhöhle in the nature-protected Kaisertal was already visited by people in the early Stone Age and in the Bronze Age and is thus considered one of the oldest proven sites of human settlement in the Alpine region. Then as now, we as the Kufsteinerland tourist region value the Kaisergebirge nature reserve. For us, the joint project for a more conscious approach to nature is of particular importance in order to preserve the beauty and extraordinary history of the Kaisergebirge," says Sabine Mair, Managing Director of the Kufsteinerland Tourist Association. Here, too, there are numerous opportunities to enjoy the beauty but also the healing effects of nature - from the themed hikes "Des Kaisers natürliche Wunderwelt" (The Emperor's Natural World of Wonders), where you can learn more about medicinal plants, to the "Wunderwelt der Geologie" (Wonderful World of Geology), to the educational trail with 14 interactive stations from the middle station of the Kaiserlift (Duxer Alm) via a newly constructed path to the Hinterdux Inn.
Invitation to the launch event on 29.4.2023
On 29 April 2023 it will be exactly 60 years since the "Kaisergebirge Nature Reserve" was declared by decree of the Province of Tyrol. On this evening, history will be traced back to where it all began, namely at Berghof Pfandl in the Kaisertal valley - Horst Konrad will provide exciting insights in an exciting lecture at 3 pm. All those interested and also representatives of the press are cordially invited! Information and registration here.
Photos for free editorial use can be downloaded here. (CREDIT is in the file name)