Nearly 130 nations represented at INTERALPIN

INTERALPIN, the world’s leading trade fair for alpine technologies, was able to set an impressive record at its 24th edition in late April. A detailed analysis of all visitor registrations has found that the trade fair, the central platform for news and innovations from the cable car industry, attracted visitors from more countries than ever to Messe Innsbruck. Provincial Councillor Mario Gerber acknowledged the significance of this achievement for Tirol as a global industry hub.

Innsbruck, 28 June 2023. With approximately 650 exhibitors, all key players from more than 50 nations and over 35,000 trade visitors, INTERALPIN has once again proved its role as an important international meeting point in the field of alpine technologies. A digital evaluation of ticket sales has revealed some impressive insights into the visitor demographics: the programme of INTERALPIN 2023, held between 19 and 21 April, was so exciting that registered trade visitors from 129 countries flocked to Innsbruck. This is an increase of 12 countries over the previous event, held in 2019. Remarkably, as many as 75 per cent of visitors were high-ranking decision-makers. ‘It was difficult to predict how the Covid pandemic and other difficulties affecting the industry would impact the trade fair. Thanks to the innovative capacity and technological leadership of the exhibiting companies, however, INTERALPIN 2023 was able to build on its results from the previous edition and set new records. Bringing together so many different interests under one roof is an important part of our work’, said Christian Mayerhofer, managing director of Congress Messe Innsbruck (CMI). He thanked all exhibiting companies, trade visitors and partners of INTERALPIN.

Key markets meet exotic newcomers: from Christmas Island to INTERALPIN in Innsbruck

While traditionally strong key markets such as Austria, France, Italy, Germany, Scandinavia, North and South America and Switzerland were as well represented as ever, this year’s INTERALPIN visitors also hailed from growing future markets, such as Australia and New Zealand, and from some truly exotic locations: Kiribati, Namibia, Panama, the Cook Islands, the Solomon Islands, Nauru, Papua New Guinea and Christmas Island. The foreign trade offices of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber welcomed many high-ranking delegations to Messe Innsbruck. As well as focusing on the touristic uses of ropeways in alpine regions and leisure facilities, around 15 per cent of trade visitors were also interested in solutions for conurbations. 

VISITING TRANSPORT MINISTER OF THE WORLD'S MOST POPULOUS COUNTRY

There was particularly great interest in the exhibiting companies, some of which have branches in the Innsbruck area, from Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, China, Buthan and the United Arab Emirates. The Indian Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari used the visit with a top-class delegation to explore solutions for possible investment projects at INTERALPIN and was inspired by visits to surrounding ropeway operators, among other things. “We would like to expand the ropeway system in India as an electric solution in public transport on the one hand and in the tourism sector on the other. Austria is a leader in terms of alpine technologies, which is why INTERALPIN is very interesting for us,” emphasized Gadkari in an interview with INTERALPIN TV.

GLOBAL ATTRACTION FOR THE LOCATION

“The number of visitors and visitor arrivals at this year's INTERALPIN underline the importance of this trade fair for our location. The world's leading trade fair for the cable car and alpine technology industry has international appeal, attracts guests from near and far to Innsbruck and thus also strengthens local tourism to a certain extent,” emphasizes State Councillor for Economic Affairs and Tourism Mario Gerber and thanks those responsible at CMI for the excellent organization: ”Organizing a trade fair of this size requires enormous knowledge, a strong connection to the industry and great commitment. Our thanks therefore go to the organization team, because without their commitment such a success would not be possible”.

ESTABLISHED SIDE EVENT: INTERALPIN GOLFTROPHY 2023

To review INTERALPIN 2023 in a relaxed atmosphere and discuss initial plans for INTERALPIN 2025, the CMI invites you to the annual networking event on the green in the fall. “The INTERALPIN family with representatives from the cable car industry will use the INTERALPIN Golf Trophy, which has been established since 2010, on the course of the Olympia Golf Club Igls for a competitive and culinary exchange,” says project manager Stefan Kleinlercher, looking forward to the industry get-together on September 9, 2023. The project team is still happy to accept registrations from interested golfers with a connection to the industry.