More Money for Mountain Huts and Hiking Trails: Government Increases Alpine Funding

The money is intended to benefit businesses facing increased investment and maintenance costs for mountain huts and hiking trails.

Recently, alpine businesses have been struggling with significantly increased construction prices and high damage caused by extreme weather events as a result of the climate crisis. The renovation of hiking trails and huts, which are important for tourism - according to the ministry, there are around 430 mountain huts in Austria - is becoming more expensive as a result.

The Austrian Alpine Club (ÖAV) therefore demanded aid from the future government last December, which was then at least indirectly anchored in the government program of ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS. In it, the parties commit to the financial security of alpine infrastructure and the preservation of mountain huts.

Funding for Alpine Businesses Increased

A funding call of 5 million euros each is planned, and a framework funding agreement of 2.72 million euros each will also be set up - supported by EU funds. The first funding call starts today, Tuesday, and is aimed at mountain hut operators, trail maintainers, and alpine clubs. With the funding, "we secure jobs in the alpine region, invest in valuable infrastructure, and specifically support the alpine clubs - with rising construction costs, climate change, and new legal requirements," Tourism State Secretary Elisabeth Zehetner (ÖVP) was quoted in a press release.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.