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  MONT PILATUS, from views to experiences
« Climbing expeditions - the view - French fries... why go up a mountain ? »

Mr. André ZIMMERMANN - CEO of Gondolas and cableways Mt Pilatus, Kriens, Lucerne, Switzerland

 

 

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(Sheet 2)

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen

At first glance, this question appears somewhat trivial however that is not the case. The answer to this question employs so many tourism companies specialising in mountain railways, i.e. companies like PILATUS-BAHNEN. The correct answer to this question can even have vital consequences for many tourism companies.

Allow me to give you a brief presentation of our company :

(Sheet 3) Comments

Now back to our question that I put forward at the beginning. We have to ask ourselves how the visitor of "then" has changed ?

(Sheet 4) Comments

A climbing expedition, a great view and a good meal was, for a long time, the traditional positioning of tourist mountains. For the most part however these visitors have moved away from mountaineering. That or they have changed their behaviour and their requirements.

(Sheet 5) Comments

Today we also offer our visitors a wide range of attractions. For example, since 2001, PILATUS-BAHNEN has once again taken control of the entire hotel and catering operations following a lease of more than 20 years, as a strategic move, true to the motto "all under one roof". Service and friendliness will also be the key to future success in tourism. As we all know, service comes from to serve. So other mountains could do all of this too. Where does PILATUS-BAHNEN have more potential in terms of culture to render the Myth Mountain, the Attraction Mountain, more attractive to visitors, new and old, from near and far ?

(Sheet 6) Comments

From the early middle ages, Mount Pilatus has held a very special charisma for the inhabitants of the valley below. The mountain was and is full of myths, sagas and legends that have been passed down for centuries. This "potential" was rediscovered in the early 90's and a first step back towards mythology on Mount Pilatus was taken with the illumination of the Esel and Oberhaupt mountain peaks. A long battle took its course and ended in 1997 before the Lausanne Federal Court which determined precisely when it would be permissible to illuminate the peaks of Mount Pilatus in the future. (Comments)
In the mid-90's, the dragon was rediscovered. "Our" dragon is not a nice idea had by some smart marketing manager for Asian tourists but a reality that you can see for yourselves later. All these initiatives were accompanied by large investments in the infrastructure over the last seven years. 

In the future, PILATUS-BAHNEN will also establish a strategy which should enable visitors to have an experience :

(Sheet 7) ADVENTURE

(Sheet 8) NATURE

(Sheet 9) VISION

(Sheet 10)

I hope that after my brief explanations you can now give an answer to why people go up a mountain. Is it the view or is it much, much more? In their majestic form, mountains have always been full of mysteries and have always cast their spells over people. Mountains are also culture; they are a part of our culture.

Now, why not lose yourselves for a few moments in the legendary world of Mount Pilatus. The myth lives on.

Thank you for your time. (André Zimmermann, Director)

DVD : Der verbotene Berg

 

Slideshow