GERMAN
ENGLISH
As part of the 45th Tyrolean Tourism Forum, the Tirol Touristica Award was presented again this year for a tourism project that particularly corresponds to the "Tyrolean Way" tourism strategy. The prize went to a model example of gentle tourism: the Iseltrail, which was launched by the Tourist Board Osttirol. Anna Servis, founder and owner of the "milsano" restaurant in Mils, was awarded the young talent prize.
"50 Shades of Green - How sustainable management shapes alpine tourism" was the motto of this year's tourism forum, which took place today in the Congress Park Igls and provided the framework for the presentation of the Tirol Touristica Prize. The topic of sustainability not only characterized the event, but is also the main criterion for the Tirol Touristica tourism award.
Almost 30 submissions show that the topic of sustainability has long since arrived in Tyrolean tourism. Ten of them were shortlisted for the prize: "For me, the high quality of the nominated projects is a clear sign that ecological, economic and social sustainability has long been an integral part of Tyrolean tourism. Together with our tourism associations and companies, we are consistently continuing on the successful path to even more quality," emphasizes Tourism Provincial Councilor Mario Gerber.
Refreshing winning project
With the Iseltrail, the prize this year went to a "model example of gentle tourism", as the expert jury put it. The approximately 80-kilometer long-distance hiking trail, which was created by the Osttirol Tourist Office, leads over five stages from the mouth of the Isel into the Drau in Lienz up to the glacier snout of the Umbalkees at 2.500 meters. On the way there, locals and guests discover the special features of the natural and cultural landscape - carefully made accessible, but not staged. "With the Iseltrail, the Osttirol Tourist Association has created a nature-friendly offer for locals and guests that meets the guidelines of the Tyrolean Trail in every respect: It not only increases regional added value, but also gently stages the Isel glacier river and the cooling local recreation area. What particularly impressed me about this project was that sustainability was taken into account along the entire customer experience - from arrival to the experience itself," says Karin Seiler, Managing Director of Tirol Tourist Board.
The tourism association thus provides a commitment to the Isel and strengthens both the local added value and the image of East Tyrol as a sustainable tourism destination. “Putting nature in the limelight and valuing it was particularly important to us. The Iseltrail has become a Tyrolean flagship product when it comes to a sustainable offer in the area of a special nature experience. We have thus further strengthened East Tyrol's position as a region for deceleration and relaxation," says Franz Theurl, chairman of the TVB Osttirol.
With heart, soul and fire grill
This year, Anna Servis held the young talent award, which was newly created in 2022. Together with her sister and a friend, she opened the "milsano" restaurant in 2017 at the age of only 24. Located in the middle of the village square in Mils, she has created a place to feel good and network, which also enlivens the village center. The theme of regionality runs through the entire restaurant concept. A special feature is the unique fire grill in the center of the restaurant, where local meat, ribs and burgers are prepared over an open fire using beech wood.
And Anna Servis showed perseverance, as the beginning was marked by challenges. Not only did two partners leave shortly before the opening, the sous chef also resigned just a few days after the opening. Sister Julia Servis, with whom she now runs the restaurant alone, jumped in without further ado. "Her ambition, her passion for Tyrolean tourism and her ability to face challenges with a great deal of optimism and courage make Anna Servis a worthy winner of the young talent award," congratulates Karin Seiler.
