Zermatt Prepares for Municipal and Citizen Council Elections
Zermatt will hold elections for the Municipal Council and Citizen Council (Gemeinderat and Burgerrat) on October 18, 2020.
The Municipal Council election uses a proportional representation system, allowing voters to support party lists or select individual candidates across different parties.
The Citizen Council election will use a majority system, requiring an absolute majority in the first round and a relative majority in a potential second round.
Subsequent elections for the president and vice-president of both councils will take place in November and December.
Zermatt Outlines Future Spatial Planning Strategy
The Zermatt municipal council presented its revised spatial planning concept (ROK) to the public for early feedback before the official consultation process begins in 2021.
The plan prioritizes high-quality development in the densely built town center, aiming to preserve open spaces and improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.
Public feedback highlighted the importance of preserving existing green spaces and historical buildings, while also calling for solutions to improve traffic flow.
Discussions revealed a conflict between the community's desire for a comprehensive plan and the individual interests of landowners, especially concerning development in outlying areas.
Major Reconstruction of Getwing Bridge Underway
The Getwing Bridge, a key traffic hub in Zermatt built in 1968, is being completely replaced due to significant structural deficiencies and abrasion damage from the Vispa river.
Construction will primarily occur from November 2020 to May 2021 to take advantage of low water levels.
The project involves demolishing the old bridge and building a new one in the same location, with temporary bridges handling traffic, including pedestrians and e-buses.
The new bridge is scheduled to open to traffic by the end of July 2021 and will feature a protective layer of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete to resist future damage.
Zermatterhof Celebrates Award-Winning Staff
Two key staff members at the 5-star Grand Hotel Zermatterhof have received prestigious accolades.
Peter Zimmermann was named 'Sommelier of the Year 2020' for his focus on exclusive and high-quality wine pairings, including local Valais selections.
Executive Chef Heinz Rufibach, who holds 16 Gault-Millau points and a Michelin star, was named 'Chef of the Year 2020' in the Karl Wild Ranking.
Rufibach is praised for his creative vision at the Prato Borni restaurant, where he emphasizes incorporating local Valais products into every menu to give guests an authentic taste of the region.
Zermatt to Host 'Digital Days' Tourism Event
On November 2nd and 3rd, Zermatt will host the 'Digital Days' for the first time, an event series aimed at educating the public on digitalization in tourism.
The two-day event will feature panels, presentations, and networking opportunities focused on digital trends, challenges, and opportunities in the tourism sector.
A central theme will be 'Bonfire,' Zermatt's own digitalization strategy, with the event primarily aimed at members of Zermatt Tourismus.
Participation is free but requires registration, and organizers have implemented COVID-19 safety protocols, including a potential livestream for some sessions.
'Home of Winter' Campaign Highlights Zermatt's Strengths
Zermatt's new winter marketing campaign, titled 'Home of Winter,' focuses on the destination's superlative qualities, such as its extensive slopes, culinary offerings, and guaranteed snow.
The campaign uses a snow globe as a central visual motif to evoke a magical winter landscape and will be promoted through online channels and in major Swiss train stations.
As part of the campaign, a promotion will again offer buyers of a destination voucher an additional 10% in value to stimulate the winter business.
For the first time, all major local tourism players, including lift companies, hotel associations, and the Gornergrat Bahn, have collaborated on financing the campaign.
Digital Tourist Tax Reporting Becomes Mandatory
All accommodation providers in Zermatt must switch to the digital system for tourist tax reporting by January 1, 2021.
Starting in 2021, Zermatt Tourism will levy an administrative surcharge on any providers who continue to submit their tax reports manually.
The digital system automates tax calculations and generates detailed, anonymous statistics on occupancy by electronically transmitting guest registration data.
Providers are encouraged to visit the Zermatt Tourismus website to schedule a consultation for transitioning to the new system.
MGBahn Line Faces Temporary Closure for Construction
The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGBahn) line between Visp and Täsch will be closed from October 12 to November 8 for extensive construction work.
The closure, scheduled during a lower-traffic period, allows for efficient work on the Kalpetran station, track sections, and a retaining wall.
Replacement buses will operate according to the train schedule, but travelers are advised to allow for extra time due to potential road traffic delays.
Separately, the Gornergrat Bahn (GGB) will replace a railway overpass, requiring a full GGB line closure and road detours from November 2 to November 6.
Zermatt Bergbahnen AG (ZBAG) reported stable financial results for the 2019/2020 fiscal year despite a nearly three-month shutdown due to COVID-19.
The company was on track for a record year, but the lockdown from March 13 resulted in a CHF 10.7 million loss in transport revenue compared to the previous year.
Despite the pandemic, ZBAG is proceeding with major investments, including the new Kumme gondola and the 'AlpineX' 3S cableway to Testa Grigia.
The report states that without the shutdown, the company would have likely surpassed the CHF 80 million revenue mark for the first time.
The Historic Advance of the Gorner Glacier
Historical accounts and early illustrations from the late 18th and 19th centuries document a significant advance of the Gorner Glacier.
During a period lasting approximately 60 years that ended in 1859, the glacier moved forward by up to 640 meters, destroying farmland and threatening buildings.
The hamlet of 'Zer Briggu' was directly impacted, and the alpine pasture 'Im Boden' is believed to have disappeared under the ice around 1842.
A 'glacier banishment' ritual performed by a priest during the 1840s failed to halt the ice's advance, which fascinated tourists but terrified local farmers.