VALUE CREATION STUDY, STRATEGY, AND ADJUSTMENT OF THE TOURIST TAX REGULATIONS IN GOMS
Value-Added Study and Guest Survey
The visitor survey and value-added study, conducted in collaboration with HES-SO, show that tourism is the central economic pillar of the Goms region: 69% of the region’s gross value added (52.8 million CHF) and 72% of all jobs (593 out of 819 FTEs) depend directly or indirectly on tourism. This level of dependence is significantly higher than in Valais (15%) or Switzerland as a whole (3%). The guest survey, conducted in both summer and winter, revealed that the destination’s positioning aligns with guests’ perceptions. While cross-country skiing, winter hiking trails, and snowshoe trails dominate in winter, hiking, cycling, peace and relaxation, and the experience of nature itself are the main attractions in summer. Trail running and roller skiing were identified as emerging sports. The findings from both studies served as the basis for adjusting the strategy.
Destination Strategy
The Goms 2026–2030 destination strategy builds on the previous strategy and defines the region’s future direction. The goal is to be perceived as a model region for authentic, nature-oriented, and slow-paced tourism in the Alpine region. In doing so, the aim is to create an attractive living and recreational environment in collaboration with locals, visitors, and partners, and to ensure long-term regional value creation. Authenticity, mindfulness, community, and vision were identified as core values. The five key areas of focus encompass destination development and positioning, sustainability and value creation, mobility and accessibility, cooperation and network management, and the organizational development of Obergoms Tourismus AG itself. The strategy is deliberately intended as a guideline for the entire destination. “I would be very pleased if as many people and organizations in Goms as possible felt addressed by the destination strategy, identified with it, and if we could move forward together in the same direction,” says Samuel Hofmann, Director of Obergoms Tourismus AG. The next step is to develop concrete measures, such as revising the 2017 Bike Master Plan, developing a strategy to increase value creation, or exploring potential mobility options like on-demand bus systems or expanding car-sharing locations for guests and locals. The digitization of internal processes, incorporating the potential of artificial intelligence, is also on the agenda.
Adjustment of Tourist Tax Regulations
Obergoms Tourismus AG submitted a request to the municipalities of Obergoms and Goms to increase the tourist tax from CHF 3 to CHF 4 per person per night. The rationale for this is that the tourist tax has remained unchanged for over ten years, while the range of tourist offerings and infrastructure (e.g., 400 km of hiking trails, 80 km of winter hiking trails, 152 km of new bike trails) has steadily grown and been expanded. In addition, operating and maintenance costs have risen significantly. The additional revenue is to be earmarked for the maintenance of this very tourist infrastructure, the further development and expansion of services for visitors, investments in new projects, and offsetting inflation. Without this adjustment, there is a risk of cutbacks in tourism infrastructure, guest services, and information and reservation services. Support for events and the further development of the destination would also have to be scaled back. In keeping with the motto “Standing still means falling behind,” the increase is intended to help maintain the quality and appeal of the Goms destination in the long term. The decision to approve the adjustment will be made at the upcoming general assemblies of the municipalities of Obergoms and Goms.
Contact:
Obergoms Tourismus AG, Samuel Hofmann, Director
+41 78 755 62 98, samuel.hofmann@goms.ch
2_Destinationsstrategie_Goms_OnePager.pdfThe visitor survey and value-added study, conducted in collaboration with HES-SO, show that tourism is the central economic pillar of the Goms region: 69% of the region’s gross value added (52.8 million CHF) and 72% of all jobs (593 out of 819 FTEs) depend directly or indirectly on tourism. This level of dependence is significantly higher than in Valais (15%) or Switzerland as a whole (3%). The guest survey, conducted in both summer and winter, revealed that the destination’s positioning aligns with guests’ perceptions. While cross-country skiing, winter hiking trails, and snowshoe trails dominate in winter, hiking, cycling, peace and relaxation, and the experience of nature itself are the main attractions in summer. Trail running and roller skiing were identified as emerging sports. The findings from both studies served as the basis for adjusting the strategy.
Destination Strategy
The Goms 2026–2030 destination strategy builds on the previous strategy and defines the region’s future direction. The goal is to be perceived as a model region for authentic, nature-oriented, and slow-paced tourism in the Alpine region. In doing so, the aim is to create an attractive living and recreational environment in collaboration with locals, visitors, and partners, and to ensure long-term regional value creation. Authenticity, mindfulness, community, and vision were identified as core values. The five key areas of focus encompass destination development and positioning, sustainability and value creation, mobility and accessibility, cooperation and network management, and the organizational development of Obergoms Tourismus AG itself. The strategy is deliberately intended as a guideline for the entire destination. “I would be very pleased if as many people and organizations in Goms as possible felt addressed by the destination strategy, identified with it, and if we could move forward together in the same direction,” says Samuel Hofmann, Director of Obergoms Tourismus AG. The next step is to develop concrete measures, such as revising the 2017 Bike Master Plan, developing a strategy to increase value creation, or exploring potential mobility options like on-demand bus systems or expanding car-sharing locations for guests and locals. The digitization of internal processes, incorporating the potential of artificial intelligence, is also on the agenda.
Adjustment of Tourist Tax Regulations
Obergoms Tourismus AG submitted a request to the municipalities of Obergoms and Goms to increase the tourist tax from CHF 3 to CHF 4 per person per night. The rationale for this is that the tourist tax has remained unchanged for over ten years, while the range of tourist offerings and infrastructure (e.g., 400 km of hiking trails, 80 km of winter hiking trails, 152 km of new bike trails) has steadily grown and been expanded. In addition, operating and maintenance costs have risen significantly. The additional revenue is to be earmarked for the maintenance of this very tourist infrastructure, the further development and expansion of services for visitors, investments in new projects, and offsetting inflation. Without this adjustment, there is a risk of cutbacks in tourism infrastructure, guest services, and information and reservation services. Support for events and the further development of the destination would also have to be scaled back. In keeping with the motto “Standing still means falling behind,” the increase is intended to help maintain the quality and appeal of the Goms destination in the long term. The decision to approve the adjustment will be made at the upcoming general assemblies of the municipalities of Obergoms and Goms.
Contact:
Obergoms Tourismus AG, Samuel Hofmann, Director
+41 78 755 62 98, samuel.hofmann@goms.ch