Focus: Guest information

Whoever steps over the threshold expects first and foremost: a pleasant expanse, space to linger, to find oneself. The tenor is not to push, but to linger. Those looking for brochures and flyers stay in the specially designed area; those seeking advice turn to the spacious front office area. There, the staff provide "face to face" information about what Eppan has to offer as a holiday, leisure and event location.

New service: mobility desk

"This is also where the mobility desk is located, which we have recently started to run on behalf of the municipality," says Tourism Association Director Thomas Rauch, referring to a service that will be of great benefit to locals in particular. In addition to comprehensive information on public mobility, there is also the possibility of recharging season tickets such as the South Tyrol Pass.

Plenty of space for the think tank and the happiness factory

Above all this, an old wooden beam protrudes from the ceiling construction on the ground floor. A showpiece. "It is a testimony to the former structure," says architect Andreas Gruber, who was eager to treat the building shell, which is under heritage protection, with respect in the course of the renovation.

The rooms still have the smell of something new, but the building itself is centuries old. It first appeared as a smithy in 1776, so the historical name "Schmitte" is no coincidence. And that is exactly where the tourism association now has its 200-square-metre hotbed of ideas and happiness. On the first floor is the back office with offices and rooms for more in-depth meetings.

One team and one location for everything

"For us, it is of course a great advantage that the team can work together again under one roof. This makes the exchange easy, the distances short," says Director Thomas Rauch, pleased with this positive outcome of the search for a suitable new location. In the past years, some staff members had worked at the Town Hall Square in St. Michael, the others at the Infohaus near the Pillhof. This was associated with certain challenges and additional work and was always intended as a temporary solution. With the joint move to the new premises, this is now history. "The location in the centre of the village is of course ideal and the conversion has also been carried out in an exemplary manner," says Rauch, aware of the advantages of the new "home".

Naturalness through wood, mortar and bricks

The building was completely renovated over the past two years on behalf of Christof Gasser of the owner company Unifin. "There was good cooperation among all the local companies involved. This is reflected in the quality of the building", architect Andreas Gruber is satisfied with the execution of the work. To preserve the historic walls, the dilapidated mortar between the stones was scraped out and renewed, and natural lime plaster was used. Monk and nun tiles on the roof, durable larch wood windows and oak wood in the interior impressively complete the overall picture.

With hospitality and commitment

The tourism association, as the future tenant, was able to actively intervene in the redesign of its own premises from the very beginning. The focus was on functionality. Plenty of space, light and wood create an inviting atmosphere. "We feel extremely comfortable and are happy about the new object," confirms Tourism Association President Evelyn Falser, but at the same time emphasises: "We in the team have remained the same. Nothing has changed in our hospitality and helpfulness."

The tourism association is dedicated to marketing the community, looking after guests and members, organising events and ticketing, and much more.

Surrounded by castles, lakes and wine

Always in focus: the three most characteristic features of the tourist destination "castles, lakes and wine". They are reflected in the new premises just as much as the apple and its blossom in spring or autumn with its colours and customs. The new headquarters ensure that all the ideas and activities of the tourism association literally fall on fertile ground.

Symbolically, a floor covering of Montiggler porphyry granulate was chosen, into which glass splinters from wine bottles were worked. They come from the producers of the Eppan Wein umbrella brand, a fruitful new alliance to make the wine-growing community more tangible for locals and guests and to present its outstanding products with joint strength. A commitment entirely in the spirit of the tourism association.

Opening: first soft and then fitting

The fact that the new headquarters cannot be opened with bangs and trumpets at the moment does not detract from the delight of the Eppan Tourism Association in this special May 2021. The changeover and the new start at Bahnhofstraße 7 will take place "softly" for the time being, and as soon as conditions permit, the Glücksschmiede on Sonnenwirtsplatz will celebrate the occasion in a fitting manner.