The «A l'Abri de l’Hêtre» project from western Switzerland includes five forest cabins that are intended to assure their energy and water needs in complete autonomy, while at the same time raising the awareness of guests apropos natural resources and sustainable solutions. Also approved was the idea of «Glamping à la Ferme», a regional network of flexible farmhouse accommodation offers: the farms look after their guests on-site, e.g. providing breakfast or additional services as required.

A «revolutionary ski school model» has arrived from Graubünden: in addition to the existing range of ski schools, in future mobile ski instructors on the slopes could spontaneously teach adventurous skiers in tackling deep snow or mogul pistes. And the «Alpine Sabbatical» project aims to use vacant second homes in the off-season at advantageous rates for a break from the world of work, with participants offering ideas or labour there in return.

These four projects convinced the judges through their innovative character and sound business plans, thus receiving a financial contribution as start-ups. The Innovation Generator is a way for CIPRA Switzerland, along with representatives of the tourism and science sectors, to promote unconventional ideas for sustainable tourism in the Swiss Alps. This also sees the application of co-creation methods, bringing together potential guests and service providers, laypersons and professionals, and city and country dwellers.

Sources and further information:

www.innovationsgenerator.ch (de)

www.cipra.org/de/cipra/schweiz/aktivitaeten-projekte/innovationsgenerator (de)