Schmittenhöbahn: Visitor record and big plans for the future!

Schmittenhöbahn: Visitor record and big plans for the future!

Zell am See, Österreich - The Schmittenhoebahn AG looks back on an exciting financial year 2023/24 and has in Ferry at its 97th May 2025 Porsche Congress Center in Zell am See presented the current figures. With around 1.1 million guests, the number of visitors is again approaching the pre-pandemic level of 1.143 million in 2018/19.

Overall, the Schmittenhöbahn recorded 1,092,793 visitors, which is a slight increase compared to the previous year. The summer season in particular convinced with 245,372 guests after an earlier start to the season on May 9, 2024, which means an increase of 14.8 % compared to 213,792 guests in the previous year. Although the winter season had a slight decline in 1.8 % with 852,421 guests, this development was moderate, even if the mild weather could have contributed to it in February and March.

sustainability and innovation

The Schmittenhöhnen not only focused on increasing number of visitors, but also on its responsibility towards the environment. The AG has been based on sustainability for years and is the only certified cable car company in Europe that works according to EMAS standards. From 2025, new disclosure obligations for ecological and social risks will also be integrated in the annual reports. In the course of this, a new employee house, the "Teamhaus 2", was also opened with high energy efficiency standards to improve the work-life balance of the employees.

In addition, the Schmittenhöhn is planning significant investments in infrastructure and modern personnel management for the coming financial year. The renewal of the chapel railway by a modern 8-seater chairlift, which doubles the funding capacity to 3,400 people per hour, is planned for the next two years. This will not only increase driving comfort, but also significantly improve the quality of service.

highlights of reporting

The gastronomy of the Schmittenhöhn has achieved solid yields in winter. However, sales in the summer season remained slightly below expectations at 1,371,000 euros. The gastronomic offer will continue to be expanded. A new souvenir shop in the summit area will offer regional and sustainable products and strengthen identification with the region.

In the area of ​​shipping on Lake Zeller, a record was achieved with 152,811 guests, the best result since the takeover by Schmittenhöhnen AG. Biodiversity on Schmittenhöhe is also taken seriously, for example, the beekeeper Peter Hofer has set up 15 beehives, which produce about 10 kg of honey per people annually.

The Schmittenhöhnen AG employs around 420 people who take care of the 27 lift and cable car systems and the shipping company on Lake Zeller. With a variety of leisure options and gastronomic offers, Schmittenhöhe presents itself as a first-class year-round destination. The outlook for 2024/25 promises exciting projects and investments that are intended to further increase the attractiveness of the region.