Ski World Cup: Schladming is booming – an economic boost for the region!

Ski World Cup: Schladming is booming – an economic boost for the region!

The World Ski Championships in Schladming triggered an impressive economic wave. Georg Bliem, director of the Planai-Hochwurzenbahnen, reported that the economic goals, which were originally supposed to be achieved by 2018, were already met in 2015. Thanks to the World Ski Championships, additional annual tax revenue could rise to around 481.5 million euros by 2024. “Every euro invested brings back 1.95 euros,” said Bliem, which makes the event a phenomenal business for the region, as the trade association also states.

Positive effects on the labor market

The economic consequences are also positive for the labor market: Schladming currently secures around 8,130 full-time jobs, and tourism is adding a further 15,600 jobs in Styria and throughout Austria. Andreas Keinprecht, chairman of the tourism association, describes the World Ski Championships as a “crucial basis for economic effects” in the region. The number of beds in Schladming has also increased from 30,000 to almost 32,000, which represents a leap in quality from a tourism perspective.

According to WIFO tourism expert Anna Burton, the upcoming TV images of the World Cup will also increase demand in neighboring regions such as Saalbach. This major winter event not only brings sporting fame, but also has a lasting impact on the entire sector. Rainer Will from the trade association emphasizes that winter sports are booming in Austria, with alpine skiing still the most popular activity. “Major events increase the desire to exercise,” says Will, which gives the organizers promising economic prospects.

Those responsible in the Schladming region already have ambitions for future World Ski Championships, with Mayor Hermann Trinker planning to award medals again by 2040 at the latest. This repetition could once again “turbo” the local economy and tourism, while Saalbach-Hinterglemm is already pushing into the market through the ongoing events in order to underline its status, as well as the courier reported.