Second-home owners demand a seat in tourism organizations
Published: Tuesday, Oct 1st 2024, 15:10
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According to a study by the University of St. Gallen (HSG), the Flims Laax Falera Interest Group of Second Home Owners (IG FLF) is demanding a seat in the regional tourism organizations. This is intended to boost joint dialog with the local population and regional development.
Involvement in tourism organizations is one of four focus topics that the IG presented on Tuesday in Flims Waldhaus. After the HSG study commissioned by the IG showed that there is a lack of dialog between locals and second-home owners, the IG FLF developed an action plan.
It also plans to organize events for second-home owners and exchange forums with first-home owners. The IG is also calling for a customer card for second homeowners, which could create lucrative offers, particularly in the low season, to support local businesses.
First study of its kind
The IG study is the first of its kind in Switzerland, said Aristid Klumbies from the HSG at the request of Keystone-SDA. In order to establish a factual basis of mutual perceptions, the study leaders conducted over 15 interviews with selected people from both sides. They also evaluated data from Flims and Laax and media reports.
This showed that locals also wanted to work more closely with second-home owners and further develop the region.
With the study, the IG has given the starting signal, said Daniel Schwarzenbach, board member of IG FLF, to Keystone-SDA. It is now expected that local politicians and tourism organizations will be open and incorporate the ideas of second home residents.
"We second locals are part of the region," said Schwarzenbach. "We don't just pay tourist taxes here, we also pay taxes." The IG expects a positive development in three years' time. It wants to measure the results through reactions from locals, new members and possibly another study.
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