Not a Brake, but an Accelerator: Climate Protection as a Future Strategy for the Saalfelden Leogang Destination

Climate protection is not a limitation for tourism, but a key future strategy for resilient and attractive destinations. Together with partners from business, politics, science and the local community, the tourism destination Saalfelden Leogang is developing concrete solutions for the sustainable evolution of the region as part of its Focus Years initiative.

An important milestone along this path is the recent gondola survey conducted at the Asitz mountain in Leogang in February 2026. A particularly noteworthy aspect is the close collaboration with Protect Our Winters (POW), an internationally active climate NGO. By partnering with POW, Saalfelden Leogang is taking a new and progressive approach: the region is deliberately inviting critical and engaged voices from civil society to actively contribute to the dialogue.

The survey was conducted in German and English by a team of POW volunteers and generated more than 500 responses. It explored how residents, day visitors and holiday guests perceive climate change in the region, what expectations they have for a future-proof tourism destination, and what role climate protection plays in their travel decisions.

Results of the Gondola Survey

The findings clearly show that climate change is firmly on the minds of ski guests:
A total of 81% of respondents reported that they think about climate change at least occasionally while skiing (43% frequently and 38% occasionally).

At the same time, snow reliability plays a decisive role in travel and booking decisions. More than half of respondents stated that they would switch to snow-reliable ski resorts if conditions deteriorate, while many also indicated they would consider adjusting their travel timing. In addition to snow conditions, the quality of nature and landscapes, as well as accessibility, are key factors when choosing a destination.

Overall, the survey was met with highly positive feedback and demonstrates a strong desire among respondents for more climate protection measures. Taken together, the results underline the growing importance of climate protection and sustainable development for the future of winter sports and the region.

The survey results will be presented during a public evening event on 15 April at Congress Saalfelden as part of the Focus Years initiative under the title:
“Tourism in Transition: What Does Climate Protection Really Deliver?”
(No registration required.)

The results will also be incorporated into the final project report and form an important foundation for the next steps in product development and the destination’s sustainability strategy.

Statements from Key Stakeholders

Marco Pointner (Managing Director, Saalfelden Leogang Touristik GmbH):
"Future-proof tourism is not created in isolation – our ambition is to actively develop it ecologically, economically and socially. Through collaboration with innovative partners and open dialogue, we bring together diverse perspectives, identify opportunities at an early stage and thereby create not only a resilient and future-ready destination, but also a clear economic competitive advantage."

Robert Steiger (POW Science Alliance):
"The results clearly show that increasingly frequent periods with little snow – white slopes in green surroundings – are perceived negatively and affect the personal skiing experience. It is therefore not surprising that around half of respondents stated they would prefer ski resorts that can continue to offer a winter experience during low-snow periods. This suggests that climate change could negatively impact demand despite advanced snowmaking technologies and highlights the importance of winter products that function even without snow."

Christina Stahl (POW Education Programme, raised in the region):
"The impacts of climate change are already a reality in our region – they are clearly noticeable and visible. Ignoring them is no longer an option. What is needed now is decisive action and collaborative solutions. The gondola survey once again demonstrates that awareness of this issue is strong among both residents and guests, and that far more people are actively engaging with the topic than is often assumed."

Focus Years as a Collaborative Development Process

With the Focus Years initiative, Saalfelden Leogang Touristik GmbH aims to further develop its sustainability strategy by the end of 2026 using locally grounded insights from stakeholder workshops, scientific surveys and public discussion formats.

This process represents another important building block for the stability and long-term resilience of the region, while also laying the foundation for the next successful certification with the Austrian Eco-Label in mid-2027.

Workshop and Public Evening Event in April

The second workshop of the Focus Years Saalfelden Leogang will take place on 15 April 2026, focusing on how climate protection can be implemented strategically, effectively and visibly within the region.

Following the workshop, Saalfelden Leogang invites the public to an evening event from 18:00 to 20:00 at Congress Saalfelden under the title:
“Tourism in Transition: What Does Climate Protection Really Deliver?”

The event will combine insights from science, communication, tourism practice and politics with an open discussion on the future of destinations in transition.
The event is open to the public and does not require registration.

Programme Highlights

Two keynote presentations will be featured:

Keynote 1: Isabella Uhl-Hädicke
The psychologist and author will speak about communication and sustainability from a psychological perspective, focusing on effective mechanisms, best practices and how sustainability topics can be communicated in ways that are clear and motivating. Her research includes the concept of the “climate inner resistance” – the internal barrier that prevents people from taking action.

Keynote 2: Katrin Erben (Austrian National Tourist Office)
The sustainability expert will explore goals and motivations for climate protection in tourism, place the topic within broader tourism strategies and international developments, and present best-practice examples from destination contexts.

Panel Discussion

The discussion will feature perspectives from science, communication, politics and destination management, including:

Robert Steiger – Scientific perspective on economy and adaptation (University of Innsbruck)
Isabella Uhl-Hädicke – Scientific perspective on climate communication (University of Salzburg)
Marco Pointner – Destination perspective (Managing Director, Saalfelden Leogang Touristik GmbH)
Lena Öller – NGO perspective on balancing winter sports and living space (Protect Our Winters)
Hans Scharfetter – Political perspective (Member of the Salzburg State Parliament and Tourism Spokesperson, ÖVP)
Katrin Erben – Moderator and tourism strategy perspective (Austrian National Tourist Office)

Photo: Hannes Winkler