Petition against mass tourism on the Rigi launched
800,000 visitors a year on Mount Rigi are enough. This is the opinion of 42 first signatories of a petition who want to take action against the unchecked growth of mass tourism on Central Switzerland's showpiece mountain. The Board of Directors of Rigi Bahnen is being criticized.
Overtourism: The (too) popular excursion destination Mount Rigi should once again focus more on its natural and landscape values (Photo: hae/Werbewoche).
The mountain belongs to the population and not to Rigi Bahnen, warn the petitioners, who want to correct the "obvious undesirable developments" on Mount Rigi.
The Board of Directors should replace the "Rigi Master Plan" drawn up in 2016 with a tourism concept "that prioritizes the natural and landscape values of the Rigi", according to a statement issued by the petitioners on Friday. Otherwise, the popular excursion destination, which already attracts almost one million visitors a year, would lose its character.
Undeterred, Rigi Bahnen continued to plan to increase transport capacity with the aim of "driving forward the growth strategy that is dependent on international package tourism". The unchecked growth was also repeatedly criticized by the population.
The "Rigi: 800,000 is enough!" petition launched on Friday calls for the number of trips and passengers on the "Queen of the Mountains" to be limited and for efforts to be made to enhance the natural and landscape resources. This would be in the public interest.
In addition, the "guest mix that is unilaterally geared towards the Asian growth markets with package tour groups that bring in the largest volumes" should be realigned with "credible marketing" that is not aimed at cheap tourism.
Finally, the Board of Directors of Rigi Bahnen should refrain from "relentlessly encroaching on the protected landscape" for the construction of a gondola lift with 14 masts. The existing aerial tramway has significant advantages in terms of usability and safety. (SDA)
