Announcements

- Presentation of April 19th 2019 by Christophe Clivaz:                             Outlook for Mountain Resorts in Valais (English)

- Nouvelliste article of January 30th 2019 on tourism in Vercorin:        Nouvelliste Article Jan 2019

- Below: highlights of the November 3rd 2018 discussion between Verco R2 Committee Members and Mrs Martine
   Perruchoud-Hofstädter & Mr Alain Perruchoud (representatives of the Commune of Chalais-Vercorin):

• A new cable-car line between Chalais and Vercorin should be built in the next few years (the implementation of the project will primarily depend on how fast the various oppositions to the project will be settled). Likely time horizon: 2 to 6 years.
• Once the new cable-car line has been completed, the bus line between Sierre and Vercorin will be abandoned. Chalais' cable-car station should then enjoy a bus connection every half hour, alternating between a connection either to Sierre or to Sion.
• Speed limit inside the Village of Vercorin: in addition to the existing speed limit of 20 km/h in the center of the village, the Commune intends to generalize a 30 km/h speed limit in the other parts of the village. This is not yet feasible because a Cantonal road runs through the village (from and to Itravers).
• The Commune has worked on a project of itineraries for mountain bikes, showshoe hikes and nature walks (cost: CHF 600'000)
• Vercorin's rubbish tip (for plants, building materials and household goods) does not comply with the standards set out by Federal norms. The rubbish tip will be shut down within the next 2 to 3 years. The default "solution" will be to drop off one's (large) refuse in Bramois (next to Sion) !  The Commune has informed us that the underlying issue here is financial in nature. The Commune is open to exploring alternative solutions with the members of Verco R2. The Commune will let us know how expensive it would be to entirely or partially bring the rubbish tip in line with Federal norms.
• The "ecopoint" at the entrance of the village will be maintained (concerns paper, PET, clothes, glass, etc...)
• The Commune is in the process of setting up a Limited Liability Company (an "SA") which will be majority-owned by the Commune, the rest being owned by the local businesses which live from Vercorin's tourism. This "SA"'s mission will be to promote Vercorin's tourism. The existing Development Society will henceforth only run some run-of-the mill local events.
• The Commune is also setting up a Consultative Commission whose mission will be to come up with new proposals with regards to Vercorin's touristic activities.
• Tourist tax: the Commune is launching from mid-November 2018 a Commission to discuss the subject of the tourist tax. The members of this Commission are expected to come up  with concrete proposals by April 2019, so that a general framework is in place by the summer of 2019. Jacques Perret of Verco R2 will take part in the Committee's reunions and he will inform the Members of Verco R2 on the progress of the discussions regarding the Tourist Tax.
• The Local Council has approved a budget of CHF 3 million as its participation to finance the CHF 8 million new chair lift between Tracuit and the Mont Major. CHF 4 million will be financed via debt. For the remaining CHF 1 million, the Commune is looking for other sources of funds and would be grateful if members of Verco R2 were disposed to make a financial contribution to the project.