The Leutascherhof is a Plateau Pioneer

The BIO Hotel Leutascherhof has long been regarded as a model business when it comes to sustainability and consistent commitment to the environment. As the initiator of the Plateau Pioneers project, Christian Wandl is once again playing a pioneering role – the entire Seefeld tourism region is to become sustainable.

Environmentally conscious thinking and acting is in Christian Wandl's genes: "For us, it's completely normal; we've been doing it for a long time. I don't want to and can't do anything else," explains the committed hotelier, whose business has been meeting all the criteria for organic certification since 2008. The list of ecological and economic building blocks is long, ranging from determining the carbon footprint and achieving climate-neutral hotel status to the fact that 80 per cent of all food comes directly from local organic farms. Now the ambition goes far beyond his own company – and the Seefeld tourism region is following suit: Seefeld was the first destination to receive the Austrian Ecolabel.

Dear Christian, how do guests benefit from the Plateau Pioneers initiative?
Those who spend their summer or winter holidays in the Seefeld region benefit in several ways. Human impact on the environment and noticeable climate change are bringing about changes that challenge us. We want to preserve the diverse mountain nature, which is a fragile entity in its interplay of flora and fauna, in order to offer the people who come to us recreation, relaxation, sport and enjoyment. In future, this will only work if we treat our environment with care. At the Leutascherhof, we have long been committed to the conscious use of resources in all areas. Now we can pass on our knowledge and experience to colleagues in tourism, and our guests benefit directly from this.

Specifically, what measures are being taken as part of the project?
The seriousness of the approach is already evident in the fact that the Seefeld Tourism Association has appointed its own sustainability officer, who is responsible for steering and coordinating activities. All measures taken during the project period 2023–2028 will be evaluated and reviewed. This is important because it means that sustainability in the region can be independently and objectively verified. We are guided by the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations' Agenda 2030.

Translated into individual areas, this means, for example, that we are taking measurable measures to protect the environment. In doing so, we are guided by the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with the 1.5 degree target. How can this be achieved? We offer a discount on the holiday price for guests who arrive by public transport – by 2030, at least 30 per cent of all individual travellers should arrive by train and bus and use public transport during their stay. From 2025, our own vehicles will be powered by fossil-free fuels. At the Leutascherhof, we have been able to reduce the carbon footprint per guest and overnight stay from 30.2 to 8.50 kilograms through various measures!

Another example is the conscious promotion of biodiversity. We have been supporting the Lebensbäume project for years. Deadwood trees remain in the area for 30 years and serve as an important habitat for birds and insects. The forest owner is compensated with a sum of money for this. Sustainable land management also promotes diversity. Our new natural garden is a first step, with more to follow.

The promotion of regional, certified organic food is very important within the framework of the project. At the Leutascherhof, 100 per cent of our meat and sausage is regional, and around 90 per cent of our dairy products. It is clear that regional supply, especially of fruit and vegetables, is a challenge due to climatic conditions, but there is still room for improvement here too.

What impact does the Plateau Pioneers project have on tourism as we know it today?
It's not about giving something up and feeling deprived. The question is: How can we make our guests happy in the future? What if the classic skiing holiday is no longer possible? That's why we are already consciously focusing on the theme of winter experiences. Our alpine huts up to 1,800 metres above sea level are also open in winter, so you can hike, enjoy the sun and the peace and quiet – and, if the snow conditions are right, continue cross-country skiing and downhill skiing, of course.

The Seefeld region has around 50 kilometres of cross-country trails with snow-making facilities in Leutasch. Together, we have deliberately spoken out against expanding snow-making, as it is simply no longer in keeping with the times. Holidays need alternatives that are environmentally friendly and at the same time offer a high potential for experiences. Hiking is one such alternative. The Leutascherhof has been a hiking hotel for many years and has been awarded the hiking seal of approval. Our hiking guide introduces guests to mountain nature; guests greatly appreciate these experiences.

Can you tell us a few of your company's goals?
Gladly! We want to double the proportion of vegetarian dishes in the restaurant from 30 per cent in 2022 to 60 per cent in 2028. Paper, which is already exclusively recycled, is to be reduced by 50 per cent to 426 kilograms by 2028. The building services in the main building will be renovated by 2026, and the biodiversity area will be continuously expanded from the current 25 per cent to 75 per cent, covering the entire outdoor area. As chairman of the Seefeld Tourism Association, I am playing a leading role in the transformation to a sustainable tourism destination and acting in an advisory capacity. And before the question of costs arises, yes, all of this requires investment and certainly cannot be viewed primarily from a business perspective. We are simply convinced that we must do our part to make the world a better place. For a long time, organic and sustainability-oriented hotel businesses were ridiculed, but today it is clear that this is the right path to take and that guests are happy to follow it with curiosity, interest and positive feedback.

Further reading: Leutascherhof sustainability biography

• 2008 – Organic certification
• 2010 – Awarded the Green Toque
• 2012 – First calculation of carbon footprint
• 2016 – 2nd climate-neutral hotel in Tyrol
• 2017 – 1st common good economy balance sheet
• 2018 – Start of the Lebensbäume (Trees of Life) project with the Karwendel Nature Park
• 2019 – Winner of the Leonhard Animal Welfare Award
• 2020 – Member of the Tyrol Climate Alliance
• 2020 – Initiators of the Green Deal for the Seefeld Olympic Region
• 2021 – Member of BIO AUSTRIA
• 2021 – 2nd Economy for the Common Good Balance Sheet
• 2021 – Member of the Tyrol Game Changer Network
• 2021 – The Organic Farmers – Chairman Christian Wandl
• 2021 – Founding member of the Plateau Pioneers
• 2022 – Karwendel Nature Park – Chairman Christian Wandl