Farmers take over 8% on Lenk-Simmental Tourism: A new chapter begins!

Farmers take over 8% on Lenk-Simmental Tourism: A new chapter begins!

Lenk, Schweiz - The Obersimmertal Farmers' Association (BVO) recently took a significant step in the field of tourism. It takes over 8 percent of Lenk-Simmental Tourismus AG (LST AG). This decision was made unanimously at the BVO general meeting in April. With this takeover, the BVO pursues the goal of promoting the exchange between tourism and agriculture, which plays an important role in the region. A prominent representative of BVO, Lukas Zeller, a young farmer from the region, will move into the Board of Directors of LST AG.

The General Assembly of LST AG took place on June 4, 2025, where Zeller was unanimously elected. In addition to him, Christian Burkhard, a hotelier, was also the successor to the retiring Jan Stiller on the Board of Directors. Burkhard is living on the handle and brings valuable experience as a deputy. Chairman of the management and head of shared services in the Lenkerhof Relais & Châteaux with.

successful financial year and outlook

LST AG has completed the 2024 financial year with a balanced invoice and a record of 395,281 nights. This corresponds to an increase of 27.4 percent compared to the previous year, which, however, is largely due to an adaptation of the survey basis. A minor number of around 800,000 overnight stays will be forecast for 2024. Around 400,000 of these overnight stays come from second home.

The prerequisites for this positive development were created by various measures, such as the introduction of the Simmental Card, which has made it possible to arrive and departure with public transport from and to Erlenbach since May 2024. In addition, the mountain bike offer in Adelboden-Lenk is further developed and the culinary offer is advertised through cooperation with local restaurateurs. From 2025, cultural offers will be bundled under the names "Simmental Cultural Summer" and "Simmental Culture Winter" in order to promote the cultural diversity of the region. The introduction of the "Kulturhöck" should also improve cooperation among cultural workers.

new marketing manager

Another important step for LST AG will also be implemented shortly: Volker Herzog will become the new marketing manager and deputy managing director of LST AG from August 1st. He will play a central role in promoting the strategic orientation of the company in accordance with the new goals of BVO and LST AG.

The measures and developments of BVO and LST AG show how closely the cooperation between tourism and agriculture in the Obersimmental region is. The integration of local actors and the strengthening of the identity of the destination through various initiatives will further enrich the regional offer.