There are many similarities between Mittenwald and Ruhpolding - not only because of the hotel project.
Ruhpolding / Mittenwald - The parallels between Mittenwald and Ruhpolding are striking: Both places have around 7000 inhabitants, both live from tourism and both are undergoing structural change. Say: Many small landlords stop - the guest beds break away. "If I do not face these realities as a mayor, then I am out of place," emphasizes Ruhpolding's town hall chief Claus Pichler (60). And what did his Mittenwald counterpart say again at the Citizens' Info a week ago? To do nothing is not his thing, said Adolf Hornsteiner (58). "Then I misunderstood my position, then I can sit down in my office - and administer it." Incidentally, both have been in office for twelve years and both want to be re-elected on March 15. The only differences: Pichler is a red and graduated high school teacher, Hornsteiner is a black and graduated supply engineer.
But when it comes to the aja hotel of the Deutsche Seereederei (DSR), they are brothers in spirit. "We have seen a significant increase since we have had this hotel," Pichler says - as far as such an analysis is meaningful nine months after the opening, Ruhpoldinger restricts it. "We may need a few years to make a fair assessment."
Reservations and fears
Some time ago he made a long phone call with his Mittenwald counterpart about the planned 400-bed resort under the Karwendel. Pichler's tone and content may have somehow made this conversation familiar. Especially since reservations and fears of parts of the locals were not uncommon in his biathlon Mecca. Even more: "There were the worst allegations," says the man from Chiemgau. According to him, the mood in the local council was "careful-critical". Therefore Pichler decided at the time to rent a aja hotel on the Baltic Sea. Hornsteiner in Ruhpolding also carried out a local inspection some time ago. Again a lot of parallels.
One thing Mayor Hornsteiner hid from the presentation a week ago: The hickhack between supporters and opponents of the 488-bed house in Ruhpolding was to culminate in a citizens' decision in 2015, which was rejected for formal reasons. "Everything is very arduous," said Pichler looking back. At the same time, the head of the town hall confirmed that, contrary to the Mittenwald financing model, no condominiums could be found on the hotel complex in Ruhpolding. "They wouldn't have been able to win a majority."
Nevertheless, Pichler had to fight for many years until the huge complex took shape in 2017 - "in the most beautiful place, which I would have liked better as a meadow". Pichler does not accept the accusation of having sold valuable land to a foreign chain of companies. “I would have preferred to have a local. But the number of potential and wealthy prospects is "not so abundant that you can choose".
Another thing in common with the tourist resort in the Upper Isar Valley.