Stoos in the turmoil: Majority rejects the weather project - demand for gentle tourism!

Stoos in the turmoil: Majority rejects the weather project - demand for gentle tourism!

After the negative vote on the weather energy experience in Muotathal, Morschach and Illgau, the displeasure of tourism development in Stoos grows. In Morschach, the project was rejected with 77.5 percent of the vote, which once again sparked the discussion about a more sustainable form of tourism in the region. The Forum Morschach-Stoos, which includes around 80 members, sees this a chance to set the course for gentler tourism. Ruedi Odermatt, communications manager of the forum, is satisfied with the result of the vote, but criticizes the too strong focus on the economic aspects of tourism and calls for more sustainability.

The new Stoosbahn has recently attracted many tourists, but this is problematic for the locals. The restaurants on site are often overcrowded, which leads to tensions within the community. In order to better regulate the flow of visitors, Odermatt suggests a targeted visitor steering for the Stoosbahn. A positive example of sustainable tourism is the “Klimdest” project from Graubünden, which records the climatic footprint of tourism.

The problem of over -tourism

The discussion about over -the tourism is not new; In particular, the tightrope walk on the Fronalpstock caused traffic jams due to the high number of visitors. A current survey shows that only 11 percent of the Schwyz population supports over -the tourism in certain places. Interestingly, 30 percent of men and 41 percent of women express concerns about the problems that over -tourism brings. In Innerwyz, the topic is perceived more as a problem than in Ausserschwyz.

mass tourism, which is characterized by high number of tourists and oversized infrastructure, has a negative impact on local culture and environment. This problem is taken up in an article by environmental mission, which presents gentle tourism as a sustainable alternative. Gentle tourism aims to minimize the ecological and socio -cultural consequences of traveling and respects the environment and the local population.

The way to more sustainability

The term "gentle tourism" was already shaped by Robert Jungk in 1980 and offers a framework for the decentralization of accommodations and the participation of the locals. In order to promote gentle tourism, incentives are necessary. Tips for environmentally friendly trips include exploring your own environment, using sustainable modes of transport and supporting the local economy.

Overall, gentle tourism is still in the beginning and requires cooperation between tourists, locals and tour operators. Pandemic has illustrated the dependence on mass tourism and the associated economic risks. By relying on gentle tourism in Stoos, it not only wants to maintain its own identity, but also to protect the natural resources and receive it for future generations.

For more information, read the detailed reporting on Luzerner Zeitung more about the approaches of gentle Tourism on Environmental mission .