A skiing and hiking hotspot
Wagrain is a market town in the Pongau region of Salzburg, Austria. With a total population of approximately 3,000 people, the village is situated some 9 km east of the county town St. Johann im Pongau. It is a well-known skiing area, but effectively a bi-seasonal destination that increasingly tries to draw attention to its hiking opportunities.
Wagrain is quite popular during the summer. The local mountain of Öbristkopf with an altitude of approximately 1,400 metres is one of Salzburg′s most popular summits to conquer. The highest spot of Wagrain can be found on the southern Gabel Mountain range and is 2,037 metres high.
Traditional mountain pasture management has been practised for centuries and is very important to protect the alpine cultural landscape. The cultural heritage is highly valued among the locals and is passed on to the next generations. This is evident in the distinct traditional association life. It is also important for the village to communicate these traditions to tourists and to make them tangible. For this reason, the village has started a cultural association to promote and preserve the cultural life in Wagrain in a variety of ways.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Sustainability at its core
Wagrain-Kleinarl Tourism originated with the villages Wagrain and Kleinarl who focused on sustainability issues, development of awareness-pathways, and undertaking an e-mobility strategy within the e-bike sector. In 2020, the village decided to undergo a certification process which fulfilled the GSTC standards with the help of the Green Destinations Certification Programme.
Since mid-2022, the village is the first and only destination in Austria to be awarded the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) accredited certification of Green Destinations.
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Linking businesses
The Austrian village has developed a comprehensive information platform for its tourism businesses. This platform contains information on various financial public subsidies for sustainable tourism development and other relevant information. The platform also supports businesses in facilitating investments and the development of MSMEs and other enterprises.
Another initiative from the village is Bio aus dem Tal or Organic from the Valley. This programme has led to organic farmers collaborating to jointly market regional products in the region. Through this initiative, a specific group of locals, farmers and the sustainability management committee of Wagrain-Kleinarl Tourism was created. “From the valley for the valley” is the slogan whereby the marketing of regional products is further promoted.
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Bio from the valley
Farmers in the village have emphasised the importance of sustainable soil management, regionality and their ecological footprint.
The farmers have started a “Dairy Workshop” on the Hirschleitenhof Farm in Kleinarl where they produce milk, butter and a wide variety of cheeses in organic forms. The Bakery Steinbauer abides by similar principles and offers organic bread and pastries to the village.
