As of: March 2, 2024, 12:00 p.m
By: Christian Fellner
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Gained his first important insights: Walter Rutz had many conversations in the first six weeks.
Even a project like the campus will not displace tourism.
Walter Rutz © Very
Walter Rutz takes over the reins at GaPa Tourism.
The big goal is a long-term successful concept for the future of the market town
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- It's this smell of pipe tobacco that immediately reveals that something is new in the corner office with a panoramic view of the spa park.
This slightly sweet scent immediately hits your nose.
Otherwise the room still seems quite barren.
But the predecessor didn't overload it either.
The signs point to change at Garmisch-Partenkirchen Tourism.
As of today, Friday, March 1st, the replacement has been completed.
After the last few days of vacation that Michael Gerber enjoyed, the scepter of managing director is now passing to Walter Rutz.
The pipe lover who sets a first scent mark, at least in this respect.
Rutz has already completed six weeks as a “senior employee” alongside Gerber, who left for Bremerhaven after five years.
A time that he used to dive straight into the shark tank of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
He got to know partners and service providers from the market town's tourism and cultural society - and not too briefly.
“It was really interesting and quite good,” he concludes.
A key first insight he gained: “The external impact of GaPa tourism is no longer there!
We have to go out more outside again.” After all, the market town is now represented again at the world's leading tourism trade fair ITB in Berlin next week.
Rutz's credo: “Of course we don't need to explain Garmisch-Partenkirchen to everyone, but we have to make it visible.”
After six weeks there are still no detailed concepts
External representation is just one point on the agenda of the Oberammergau native, who was responsible for the cultural sector in his home country and as managing director of Passionsspiel-GmbH for eight years.
He can't go into detail after such a short time.
A sound concept – he needs time for that.
“Let’s talk about it in six months,” says Rutz and laughs.
Of course, he knows the challenges that will arise in the short term.
The congress center is at the forefront, plus the reopening of the tourist information office, which is planned for the summer.
“Issues that we need to tackle immediately.”
Then there are the events, which there is no shortage of this year.
“The Scots are coming,” he reminds us, “bringing maybe 5,000 to 10,000 fans with them.” The visit of the national soccer team from the island isn’t everything: the German ice hockey team is already visiting the training camp in April to prepare for the World Cup International match in town.
The BMW Motorrad Days are taking place again, attracting tens of thousands of bikers to the Alpspitze.
“It’s all gifts,” Rutz admits.
“But we also have to make something of it.” The market town is called upon to show its potential as hosts at this point.
“If I take the visit of the national ice hockey team: We should try together to fill the stadium,” says Rutz, formulating a task.
“Germany against Austria, that’s always an exciting topic.” In addition to these highlights, there is also the GaPa Trail, the White Night, the Zugspitz Ultra Trail, the Music in the Park series, the AlpenTestival and the Richard Strauss Days – a lot of things come together.
The passion actor is particularly looking forward to the culture
Rutz is particularly looking forward to the culture.
Of course she is a hobby horse for the passion actor.
With Dr.
He has already contacted Dominik Sedivy, the head of the Strauss Institute.
GaPa Kultur-GmbH, which Rutz also heads, is primarily responsible for the festival for the famous composer.
“The conversation was very open, I think we can do something good about it.”
Of course, day-to-day business is only one side of the coin.
“We need a concept for the future, one that also works in the long term,” says Rutz, setting the bar himself. In his eyes, the starting point is quickly defined: “We don’t have any major problems with the summer.” The other half of the year is preparing more like a stomach ache.
“We can no longer guarantee wintry Bavaria.” His fear: “The whole region will probably have to prepare for alternatives to winter sports sooner than expected.” Weaker guest numbers in January are the first indication.
The months of April, October and November usually also offer potential for improvement.
“We have to work on that and think about what guests can do during this time.” He mentions hiking, ice skating and cycling.
However, this sometimes requires better infrastructure.
Important: “We can and must tackle this issue together, all partners in the community.” For Rutz, one thing is certain: tourism will always play a crucial role for Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
“Even a project like the campus will not displace tourism.” It is therefore important to give full energy to a concept for the future.