Best Austrian Summer Mountain Railways (BÖSB)

Kornel Grundner: The seal of quality is an initiative of the Austrian Cableway Association within the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. It stands for certified quality, cooperation, and the sustainable development of the regions. As a network, it brings together experts and pioneers in Austrian summer mountain tourism. Currently, the initiative has 84 members representing a total of 101 themed mountains.

Admission to the network is subject to clearly defined quality standards: Only businesses that meet at least 100 criteria are permitted to display the seal of quality. The offerings are grouped into five thematic categories: Adventure, Family, Panorama & Nature Experience, Culinary Delights, and Art & Culture. All members must also undergo recertification every three years.

For guests, the seal of quality thus provides a reliable guide when selecting day trip destinations and vacation spots. Regular review of the quality criteria ensures transparency and guarantees that the “Thematic Mountains” offer diverse and professionally developed experiential programs. As a result, the seal of quality has become an important factor in choosing a destination.

In this anniversary year—in which Austria is celebrating 100 years of cable car history and the seal of quality has been in existence for 25 years—the certified summer mountain railways look forward with confidence to the remainder of the 2026 summer season.

A recent quick survey of member businesses in the Quality Initiative also gives us insight into expectations, priorities, and new developments for the mountain summer season.

Kornel Grundner: According to our survey, experiencing nature is clearly the main focus: slowing down, exercising in the fresh air, and shared experiences in the mountains are perceived as the most important trends. Frequently mentioned are combinations of nature, sports, relaxation, and enjoyment, as well as offerings for families, such as themed trails, water play areas, and interactive adventure zones.

“Summer retreats” are also gaining in importance. Several businesses report guests who want to escape the high temperatures in the valleys or cities. The mountains are thus increasingly being positioned as a cool and easily accessible recreational area—a development that is gaining further relevance against the backdrop of climate change. Last-minute travel decisions, domestic vacations, and day trips support this trend.

Digital offerings such as online tickets, digital adventure trails, information apps, and personalized recommendations are clearly recognized by mountain railways as important developments. However, they are rarely viewed as the core of the offering in and of themselves, but increasingly as an expected standard to enhance the mountain experience. Their primary function is to make access to the nature experience easier, more convenient, and more personalized. Digitalization thus serves to enhance the service, while the nature experience itself remains the focal point.

Year-round tourism is also seen as having solid growth potential. About two-thirds of businesses see opportunities for higher occupancy rates in the spring and fall—for example, through new offerings during the off-season or target-group-specific programs outside of traditional vacation periods. For many businesses, however, the concept of year-round tourism is already a strategic framework and is viewed less as a new trend than as an increasingly established approach. This past summer alone has shown that the season extends far beyond the traditional vacation weeks. Many mountain railways are making targeted use of spring and fall to promote offers for families, day visitors, and active vacationers—for example, around holidays, long weekends, and the off-season.

Kornel Grundner: A large majority of member companies viewsustainability as an essential component of summer mountain rail development and are promoting it at various levels. The survey shows that numerous companies are already implementing concrete measures in the areas of energy and resource conservation. These include, among other things, photovoltaic systems, the use of self-generated electricity, hydropower, and operational efficiency improvements. In addition, projects are being implemented in the areas of nature conservation, biodiversity, waste separation, and accessibility.

A key lever for greater sustainability lies in mobility and travel to the destinations. The partnership with the Austrian KlimaTicket, which will continue in 2026, facilitates climate-friendly travel to mountain destinations. Holders of the KlimaTicket Ö receive a 10% discount on round-trip tickets at 52 participating businesses.

In addition, the Best Austrian Summer Mountain Railways focus on raising awareness and promoting a mindful approach to the mountain environment. The “Summit Charter” establishes a joint code of conduct that educates guests on respectful coexistence among people, nature, and wildlife.

Sustainability is not just a short-term trend, but rather part of the member companies’ corporate responsibility. These measures range from energy and mobility to nature and landscape conservation, as well as the strengthening of regional structures. In this way, the summer mountain railways contribute to the sustainable development of mountain regions, from which future generations can also benefit.