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F.acT: What is the current situation in terms of local mobility?
Brigitte Hainzer: "Corona has shown us how beautiful it is on our doorstep." I have heard this sentence very often over the past year. And often from locals, many of whom are landlords and hosts. You don't always have to go somewhere to discover the most beautiful places. We could also share this experience with our guests!
Another positive development in terms of mobility: people want to become more active again, walk more and cycle more. Let's use this as an opportunity to focus on "active mobility" rather than the use of trains and buses when recommending local activities!
Of course, local mobility also means offering public transport, ski, hiking or sightseeing buses, hut cabs, cabs, car and bike rental and much more. Tyrolean tourism associations throughout the country are very committed to providing guests with an attractive range of services. They are also endeavoring to include mobility offers in the guest card, making them easy and uncomplicated for guests to use. However, the situation with regard to public transport services (bus and train) is very heterogeneous and depends on the location and settlement structure, but also on the time of day and season.
F.acT: What are the challenges here?
Brigitte Hainzer: I see the challenges here primarily in our own minds. We want to complete our everyday journeys and errands as quickly and efficiently as possible, for which the car is indispensable in rural areas. Most restaurant and hotel employees also need a car, as there is no public transport during their working hours. So you have to rethink your approach when advising guests. Guests are on vacation, they have time, they are ready to try out new things, they want to discover the area.
"I no longer say: "You have to walk there in 15 minutes", but: "You can be there in just 15 minutes...." is the conclusion of a TVB employee who was picked up at the bus stop by her host during her vacation and accompanied to her accommodation on foot. He also gave her information about the location.
In order for guests to be mobile on site, there must of course also be an appropriate range of public transport that is tailored to the needs of the guests. This can vary from region to region: a guest may want to set off early in the morning for an alpine tour, or go cross-country skiing after breakfast. Vacation apartment guests need to do their shopping and some want to eat in an inn in the evening. These are often no longer within walking distance. Appropriate connections are needed here, including at off-peak times or weekends, when there are also many day visitors in addition to overnight guests.
At present, mobility is still being thought about and commissioned in many different ways. As a result, services are often only available to certain segments, such as shared cabs for residents of a municipality or ski buses only for skiers. In my opinion, identifying mobility needs across all interests and putting together offers that can be used by everyone would be an important step towards an attractive offer. In addition, public transport should be linked with private providers, presented transparently and ideally be bookable.
F.acT: What solutions are there here?
Brigitte Hainzer: The Tyrolean tourism associations are very committed to offering public transport and supplement this with ski, hiking or sightseeing buses or hut cabs. The information is correspondingly well prepared and supplemented with further offers for local mobility such as car or bike rental. Hosts can integrate this information as links or widgets on their websites. Printed information is also available everywhere for local advice.
The TVB Osttirol has compiled all mobility offers on a compact landing page with the support of the Osttirol regional management. It is online in German, English and Italian and can be easily integrated as a link by the accommodation providers, e.g. when creating an offer. There are already good approaches to emphasizing "active mobility" and giving guests tips on what they can discover right from their front door. On foot, by bike, with snowshoes, cross-country skis, tobogganing, ....
One approach to expanding mobility services is on-demand transport, i.e. "on demand" or "on call". With RegioFlink , VVT is currently closing gaps in terms of time and space - especially in the first and last mile. Regioflink is currently being tested in Wattens: the journey can be booked via app or by phone, you are picked up at a conveniently located virtual stop near your starting point and taken to a stop near your destination.
The Tirol Tourist Board's mobility coaching service provides practical tips and information on what is important when putting together your trip. Information is compiled and prepared here and the Tyrolean tourism associations are supported in how they can inform and inspire guests to travel car-free.