ATS board member Harald Gmeiner wants more "implement projects at Upper Bavaria level"

Created: 05/24/2022, 10:00 am

By: Jonas Napiletzki

Harald Gmeiner, ATS board member and new advisory board chairman in the TOM association.

© Thomas Plettenberg

ATS board member Harald Gmeiner is the new chairman of the advisory board in the Association of Tourism Upper Bavaria Munich.

There he wants to promote the district-wide link, he reveals in an interview.

District – The municipal company Alpenregion Tegernsee Schliersee (ATS) has made a name for itself beyond the district with projects such as the excursion ticker.

This is now paying off for board member Harald Gmeiner: He was elected chairman of the advisory board by the members of the national association Tourismus Oberbayern München (TOM).

We spoke to the 59-year-old about his new position.

Mr. Gmeiner, there are people in charge from all over Upper Bavaria on the Advisory Board.

How did you manage to become chairman?

Harald Gmeiner:

My predecessor Klaus Götzl retired.

I myself have been a member of the advisory board for around five years, and as a destination management organization (DMO), we have brought a lot of impetus to the tourism association.

So it was obvious that those responsible at TOM approached me.

So there is acceptance in the committee – the ATS is well recognized.

How does the district of Miesbach benefit from your commitment?

Harald Gmeiner:

For all projects where we as a district organization do not have enough strength, or where all Upper Bavarian destinations face the same challenges, it makes sense to bundle and implement the projects at Upper Bavarian level.

There are cost savings and greater relevance in implementation.

The exchange between the district organizations is important and helpful.

This will also be my focus as Chair of the Advisory Board.

The ATS alone, for example, would be too small to lift the excursion sticker.

Has this cooperation not existed before?

Harald Gmeiner:

In my opinion, not always.

The needs of the regions are currently not sufficiently bundled.

How much time does the new presidency cost you?

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Harald Gmeiner:

So far there have been four meetings per year.

But it depends on how you want to hold office.

But the exchange is worth it.

Throughout Bavaria there are around 100 million overnight stays every year.

Almost half take place in Upper Bavaria.

This makes the work of the association relevant - and in the sense that it is no extra work, as ATS and the district of Miesbach benefit from the feasibility of individual projects.

What are your first steps?

Harald Gmeiner:

I'm in initial talks with other destinations.

In July I will chair a joint session for the first time.

After that I would like to go on a retreat to set the goals.

It seems important to me to clearly define the division of tasks with the DMOs: What are the tasks of the district organizations and what should be better bundled at the Upper Bavarian level?

They are elected for three years – but projects sometimes need more time.

Harald Gmeiner:

If it is desired and my work is successful, I can imagine running for office again.

But that will show.

I'm definitely not going to stay longer than seven years - that's when I'll be retired (laughs).

Jonas Napiletzki conducted the interview.

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