The TegernseeCard repeatedly causes criticism among the locals.
Tourism boss Christian Kausch takes a stand in an interview.
Tegernsee – There is a lot for free for the guests, the locals have to pay for everything: A reproach that Christian Kausch, Managing Director of Tegernseer Tal Tourismus GmbH (TTT), encounters again and again.
Most recently, he got rid of his fat at the Kreuther carnival procession.
The head of tourism can laugh about the fun, but he wants to make it clear on the topic that comes up again and again: The TegernseeCard, introduced in 2010, is also a successful model from an economic point of view - and on course for growth.
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Christian Kausch, Managing Director of Tegernseer Tal Tourismus GmbH
© Thomas Plettenberg
Holiday with the TegernseeCard: "The system pays for itself and is not subsidized"
Mr Kausch, how much public money goes into the TegernseeCard?
Christian Kausch:
Not a cent.
The system is self-supporting and is not subsidized.
The 245 hosts who are part of the TegernseeCard pay a contribution per night and person.
It goes in a big pot.
Everything that has to do with the TegernseeCard is paid for from this pot.
The largest part flows into the distribution to the service partners, which is due when the guest uses a service, for example drives up the Wallberg.
But personnel costs, system costs and marketing are also covered in this way.
The fee is included in the room rate.
The guest thus indirectly pays for the card himself and does not receive anything for free.
And the card still has traction?
Christian Kausch:
Absolutely.
The demand for valuable offers is very high.
At the moment we have 40 service partners and can really make many good offers.
Bus trips, boat trips and mountain railways are the most popular.
The TegernseeCard thus also has a certain steering effect, especially with regard to traffic.
When holidaymakers leave their cars at home, the locals also benefit.
Is the card also worthwhile for service partners?
Christian Kausch:
Absolutely, even if the partners have to give a little something.
But there is also a lot of marketing in the system.
Finally, the guest is informed that he can get the respective offer at a discount and also sees for himself what is possible with the card.
Some then book even more.
It is measurable with many partners that usage is increasing and more guests are coming.
Nobody pays extra for the service partners.
By the way: everything from the region is also available in our regular Tegernsee newsletter.
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Tegernseer Tal Tourismus GmbH (TTT) had to put up with a lot of ridicule at this year's Kreuth carnival procession.
© Thomas Plettenberg
Tourism at Tegernsee: How likely is a TegernseeCard for locals?
What is the most popular achievement?
Christian Kausch:
Bus and ship.
For example, guests like to drive from Bad Wiessee to Tegernsee and back again.
That relieves traffic, and the innkeeper is also happy because he can sell a few more beers, because: the car stops.
Would the TTT also be responsible for a local card?
Christian Kausch:
Not really, because our topic is tourism.
But in many things we no longer distinguish between guests and locals.
The simple guest card, which all overnight guests in the valley receive and which is financed by the resort tax, as well as the TegernseeCard will soon also be available as an app for mobile phones as part of digitization.
This makes it easier to book offers, and locals can of course also use it.
The municipalities have to decide and commission whether one wants to implement a local card in this context.
The crux of the matter is that the locals really want the service as a gift.
For example, the municipalities pay for the senior citizens' bus card with taxpayers' money.
That's a kind of local card, which, by the way, also runs through our card system throughout the district.
Is another new TegernseeCard service in sight?
Christian Kausch:
It is foreseeable that an e-car sharing system will be implemented with the E-Werk Tegernsee.
It will be a very valuable TegernseeCard service to be able to use these e-vehicles.
It is planned to offer the first two hours free of charge.
Six vehicles have been ordered, but there are plans to add many more.
It is an incentive for guests to arrive publicly.
If they then need a car because they want to do something individual or transport something, it is available.
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You can find more current news from the district of Miesbach and the Tegernsee region at Merkur.de/Tegernsee.
Rubric list picture: © Thomas Plettenberg