Things are actually going well at the Ochsenkopf: the number of overnight stays in Bischofsgrün is increasing, the tourist offers are well received and more attractions are planned. But the association Tourism & Marketing Ochsenkopfwhich includes the four communities Bischofsgrün, Fichtelberg, Mehlmeisel and Warmensteinach have merged is in crisis.
Leadership in the association
A year ago, Andreas Munder retired as managing director. Ricarda Grünig was to take over the management as her successor. She started last October full of confidence. Since then there has been a lot of criticism of her work. A good two months ago, Grünig asked for her to be released from her job. Officially her last day of work is Monday. It is unclear what will happen next with the tourism association. Apparently there is discussion in all directions. What is certain is that Andreas Munder, who successfully managed the business for 17 years, will temporarily take over the management of the GmbH again. At least for the next six months he is coming out of retirement and back behind the desk.
Where should it go?
During these six months there will be discussions within the association: Who could be suitable as Munder’s successor? Does it even make sense to keep Tourismus & Marketing GmbH Ochsenkopf in this form? An integration of the association into the Fichtelgebirge tourism center would be entirely conceivable for insiders.
One thing is certain: Marketing around the Ochsenkopf is important. Especially in times when investments are being made: in the cable car, in the high ropes course and in other attractions.
“Bischofsgrün is doing well”
The tourism figures are currently positive, at least in Bischofsgrün. This became clear yesterday evening at a tourism meeting in Bischofsgrün. Last year there were 183,000 overnight stays in Bischofsgrün. Wilhelm Zapf from Tourismus & Marketing GmbH Ochsenkopf emphasized that over 200,000 overnight stays are expected for the current year. The community is one of the very few that shows such a positive development in the number of overnight stays. The numbers can also be attributed to the BLSV sports camp. The high-altitude clinic, whose future is currently uncertain, is also included.
Tourist attraction
But the good atmosphere doesn’t just apply to the overnight stays. The investments in the Ochsenkopf over the last few months and years give Wilhelm Zapf reason for optimism. He mentions the cable car, which has been very well received, the newly opened climbing garden, the other attractions such as the mountain karts and also the further planned highlights. He is also rightly proud of marketing campaigns such as the visit from Waldtraud and Mariechen and others. In a Facebook post last Sunday, Wilhelm Zapf was happy about a full cable car parking lot “that only happened every now and then in winter. “So many people here in Bischofsgrün in the summer – that’s a great signal for the tourism region.”
