Who says MICE in AustriaWe're thinking more along the lines of the country's major cities, such as Vienna, Innsbruck or Salzburg. And yet there is a village in the heart of the Tyrol that hosts internationally renowned conferences and congresses every year. This village is Alpbach, 1? hours by car from Munich and 45 minutes from Innsbruck.
Alpbach: postcard-perfect Tyrol
Alpbach is the epitome of a true Alpine village.. Traditional chalets made of wood and whitewash, their balconies overflowing with multicoloured geraniums. Soft green pastures interrupted by orchards and surrounded by majestic mountains. A setting so perfect you wonder if it's really real.
How did this traditional village of 3,000 inhabitants become one of Austria's most popular MICE locations? It all began in the aftermath of the Second World War. Which explains Johannes Duftner, owner of the beautiful 5-star Böglerhof hotel, a benchmark for hospitality in the Tyrol.
" After the war, during the period of French occupation, my grandfather was appointed mayor because he hadn't been a Nazi. He was a visionary for the village. He wanted to standardise the local architecture, giving a coherent style to the houses in Alpbach. With very strict rules that today make Alpbach one of the most beautiful villages in Austria, and particularly in the Tyrol." he explains.
All the houses must have a wooden first floor, and the stone ground floors must all have white rendering. Cascades of multicoloured flowers bloom on every balcony. And as for the signs of contemporary life - such as satellite dishes or photovoltaic panels - they remain invisible to the human eye. Even today, some 22 farms are classified as "Erbhöfe". This means that each of them has remained in the ownership of the same family for at least 200 years.
Alpbach European Forum: the MICE advantage
This postcard settinglost in a landscape of mountains and green pastures, is also behind the Alpbach European Forum (EFA). Created in 1945, the forum was seen by its founders as "a place of reflection providing solutions for rebuilding Europe". 80 years later, the forum is still discussing everything that contributes to European cooperation, democratic development and intellectual exchange.
Alpbach has welcomed the world's biggest names in politics, science, intellectual life and business. To open a dialogue with academics, students and researchers. A succession of personalities have been involved since the very beginning. They include politicians such as Jacques Delors, Indira Gandhi, Ban Ki Moon, Helmut Kohl and Mary Robinson, as well as artists like Christo, writers like Friedrich Dürrenmatt and economists like Alfred Stiglitz. The tranquillity of the village is conducive to the intellectual exchange that is the essence of this forum.
The EFA is therefore Alpbach's best marketing asset as a destination, generally attracting more than 4,000 participants each yearfrom all over the world - particularly Europe. " The EFA has given Alpbach its identity. The scientific and cultural reputation of this event has attracted other congresses from prestigious scientific and economic institutions such as the Max Planck Institute and the Fraunhofer Institute. They reinforce Alpbach's importance on the European scene." says the owner of the Hotel Böglerhof.
" However, we remain a village that wants to be sheltered from mass tourism. That's what we're all about and we're fighting to maintain this quality of welcome and quality of life. We only have 6 or 7 hotels in the village and I don't think that will change in the medium term. I like to say that for our visitors, Alpbach is a destination that respects a perfect balance: 3,000 inhabitants, 3,000 cows, 3,000 beds! jokes Johannes Dufter.
An authentically ecological destination
It's true that the quality of the infrastructure is essential, and is done in a way that respects the sustainability of the destination. The convention centre, for example, was built specifically for the EFA but is of course open to all types of events. According to Ingrid Walder, Head of Marketing at the Alpbach Congress Centre (CCA)The facility hosts an average of 160 events a year. " The average capacity is 300 to 400 participants. However, we can easily accommodate up to 850 delegates." she explains.
The Convention Centre offers 2,800m² of convention and conference space with a genuine ecological ethic in its organisation. The CCA has been awarded two Austrian Ecolabels and meets all the requirements for a certified green event.
This is not an argument for green washing. The structure is energy-efficient and most of the service providers are regional.. For example, the catering business uses local agricultural produce.
What appeals most to conference organisers is also the terrace integrated into the centre. This opens directly onto the pastures and mountains. This field in fact makes it possible to conceal part of the convention centre's structure. As a result, it blends in perfectly with the Alpine landscape.
Alpbach offers much more than a conference experience in a picture-postcard landscape. The village is ideal for activities such as trekking, hiking and skiing in winter. But it's also the perfect place for a spiritual retreat, with wellness programmes, spas and yoga.
Culturally, Alpbach has plenty to offer. Starting with its baroque church in the heart of the village. Or a 20-minute drive away, with a visit to one of Austria's prettiest towns, Rattenberg. With just 460 inhabitants, it is officially the smallest town in Austria. Set on the River Inn, the town is an architectural jewel of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Its tall, pastel-coloured houses are typical of the "Inn-Salzach" style that characterises the urban centres of the region between Salzburg, Innsbruck and Passau in Germany.
Rattenberg is certainly very touristy. But it is still one of Europe's centres for crystal work. You can discover this traditional craft at the Kisslinger Kristall-Glas crystal works, which can organise a tour of its workshops and an introduction to glassblowing for MICE events.
For an insight into Tyrolean rural life, there is also a farm museum 40 minutes' drive from the heart of Alpbach. And for those who wish to encourage public transportthe Alpbachtal Card gives free access to museums, local cable cars and public transport.. Durability is a must!
Hotel Böglerhof, the Alpbach spirit
Hotel Böglerhof, Alpbach's only five-star hotelThe hotel embodies everything that makes the village so charming. Warm and traditional within its walls, some of which date back to the 16th century, this is a luxury establishment without the obsequiousness that some five-star establishments can have.
The luxury of Böglerhof, according to its owner Johannes DufterOur aim is to offer a tailor-made, efficient and friendly service that anticipates travellers' expectations. " Above all, we respect local traditions because they are what make our hotel so different. And we're proud of our history. And we're proud of our history, our Fugger restaurantIt dates back to the time when these Renaissance bankers settled in Alpbach to exploit the copper and silver mines. At the time, the room was used as a courthouse." .
This desire to preserve tradition is reflected as much in the decoration of its 50 rooms, where wood and local textile motifs dominate, and in gastronomy. " Lhe products of our farms have always been essential to our lives. Milk, fish, asparagus, fruit. At the time, these were the farmers' livelihoods. Today, the Böglerhof gives priority to local produce, with more than 80 % used in our restaurants. Why is this so important to the hotel's identity? It's a way of bringing the region to life and guarantee an authentic experience for our guests"says Johannes Dufter.
The spa facilities, the excursions, the sporting activities - all this makes the Böglerhof an exceptional establishment. And that makes it a true ambassador for Alpbach. " With its unspoilt setting and European Forum, Alpbach has a special charm that few other Alpine villages can match. "says an enthusiastic Johannes Dufter.
https://www.boeglerhof.at/en/pure-nature-spa-resort/hosts-with-heart-and-soul
ALPBACH GUIDE
How to get there Alpbach is close to Munich and Innsbruck airports, with easy motorway access. Brixlegg station, 9 km from the village, is linked by regional buses with direct trains to Innsbruck and Switzerland or to Kufstein and Germany.
Getting aroundBuses: around the Alpbach region, buses run between the various villages and places of interest. They are free with the Alpbachtal Card, issued by the hotels.
StayThe Alpbach Valley (Alpbachtal) has 8 four- and five-star hotels and a dozen 3-star hotels. All the establishments are under https://www.alpbachtal.at/en/search-and-book/accommodation.
Alpbach Congress Centre (CCA) Located just a few metres from the Hotel Böglerhof, the congress centre can accommodate meetings and conferences for 50 to 850 people in its 2,800 m² of variable event space. It has 2 plenary rooms and 8 sub-committee rooms. The CCA organises certified sustainable conferences. www.congresssalpbach.com
Information on Alpbach and the surrounding area : https://www.alpbachtal.at/en
