The third semester of the Bachelor’s program in Tourism & Hospitality Management began with a packed schedule for students specializing in “Mobility”: They went on a full-day excursion to the Mariazellerbahn railway. The aim was to experience sustainable mobility concepts in tourism first-hand and to exchange ideas with experts.
From St. Pölten to the heart of Hochsteiermark
The journey began early in the morning at St. Pölten Central Station. The Mariazellerbahn railway took them through the picturesque landscape of Lower Austria to Laubenbachmühle. After a short welcome, an informative presentation on the Mariazellerbahn as a modern regional railway began. The focus was on the potential and challenges of sustainable tourism mobility — a topic that is more relevant than ever in view of growing environmental requirements and changing travel habits. The subsequent discussion with Anton Hackner, head of the Mariazellerbahn, provided an opportunity for questions.
A particular highlight was the guided tour of the state-of-the-art Laubenbachmühle operations center. The students were given an exclusive insight into the technical processes and organization of railway operations. After a short lunch break in the on-site bistro, the tour continued to Mariazell—Austria’s most important place of pilgrimage and the tourist center of Hochsteiermark.
Pilgrimage tourism in Mariazell
After arriving, the group visited Mariazell railway station. There, they were treated to an exciting presentation by Nino Contini, chairman of the Hochsteiermark Tourism Destination. He spoke about the role of the Mariazell Railway in regional tourism development and the importance of sustainable mobility options for visitors and locals alike.
The students took the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the challenges and opportunities of tourism infrastructure in alpine regions.
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