Extensive investment in Schladming

The Alpine World Ski Championships taking place in Val d´Isère these days are also a topic in Schladming, Austria. Schladming will have the opportunity to host the next but one World Ski Championships in 2013, which is why preparations for the major event in Styria are already in full swing. Almost all operators of existing hotels and restaurants in Schladming plan to invest in renovating or expanding their establishments over the next few years, or have already begun doing so, explains Peter Donabauer, the resort’s tourism director.

According to current figures, Schladming has around 8,000 hotel beds. By the start of the World Ski Championships in four years, this capacity is to be expanded to at least 10,000 beds, with the additional capacity intended mainly for the higher categories, that is, 3- to 5-star hotels. In addition to expansion measures at existing businesses in Schladming’s hospitality sector, the construction of one or two new hotels is also being considered. Although the building permit for a 4-star hotel has yet to be issued, it is considered a mere formality.

While hoteliers and restaurateurs in Schladming still have plenty of work ahead of them in the coming months, the Styrian ski resort’s party and nightlife is already ready for the World Championships. Right next to the well-known Plai is an après-ski hut that has been operating for around a year, and four more nightspots opened at the start of the current ski season.