In Switzerland, BDG leads the ranking. For the first time, BDG together with Gstaad Marketing, was able to take gold in the category Best Marketing. The previous International Slope Quality Seal Gold and International Tobogganing Quality Seal were extended for another three years.

Architecture Trophy
The Eggli cable car and thus also Reichenbach Architekten AG were awarded the Gold Architecture Trophy.

Covid-19 safety concept
For the first time a Safety Trophy was awarded, in which category Destination Gstaad achieved gold. “A special confirmation, because the comprehensive safety concept required a lot of work and flexibility from everybody involved – but above all it worked,” write those responsible in the media release. Gstaad was also awarded gold in the category Friendliest Cable Car Staff.

Excellent cable car management
Matthias In-Albon, director of BDG, received the award for Best Cable Car Management for the initiative “Switzerland is skiing – but safely”. He said the campaign had made European policy and paved the way in Switzerland for ski resorts to remain open during the pandemic. “Because this campaign made it clear that the winter sports resorts were prepared with appropriate protection concepts,” the media release continues.

Awards are confirmation
“I am very pleased that we were able to win the overall Swiss category,” In-Albon is quoted. As highlights of this year’s winter awards, he mentions winning the Gstaad Marketing Trophy in addition to the friendliness of the railway staff and the management award. Andreas Wandfluh, head of Gstaad Marketing, is also pleased about the latter: “The award confirms that we have taken the right approach. Especially because Skiareatest strongly considered the aspect of joint destination marketing in its assessment.”

Improvisational talent in marketing
Due to the corona pandemic, the destination’s campaigns had to be reworked. Since last summer, Gstaad Marketing has relied on a modular structure with different scenarios. This made it is possible to react quickly according to changing regulations. The award is special praise for the Gstaad Marketing team and their strategy of modular campaigns.

On the right track ...
The widely supported awards of the international Skiareatest confirmed the commitment and motivation of BDG and Gstaad Marketing to continue to push the offer and communication along this path – despite the remaining insecurities. “It was the right decision to keep up operations despite the circumstances,” says In-Albon conclusively.

BASED ON AVS/ANITA MOSER