Sustainability in Zell am See-Kaprun Responsibility for a sustainable tourism region
Situated between glacier, mountain, and lake, Zell am See-Kaprun offers diverse natural landscapes and scenery. To ensure these remain accessible and enjoyable for the long term, the region is implementing measures in various areas – from mobility and energy to regional value creation and social issues. Since autumn 2025, Zell am See-Kaprun has also been awarded the Austrian Ecolabel for Tourism Destinations. Certification according to guideline UZ 82 is based on a comprehensive set of criteria and an independent audit.
Zell am See-Kaprun is heavily influenced by tourism – economically, socially, and culturally. This creates a responsibility for the long-term development of the region. Therefore, the focus is on specific actions in the areas of mobility, use of resources, regional value creation, and cooperation with local people and businesses. Selected measures align with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations and are listed under the various menu items.
Mobility:
Stress-free travel to Zell am See-Kaprun by train
The choice of transport for arrival and departure has an impact on the CO₂ emissions associated with a trip. Zell am See-Kaprun is directly connected to the rail network and therefore offers excellent conditions for traveling by public transport. Direct train services from cities such as Stockholm, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Augsburg, Munich, Vienna, and Zurich allow you to travel to the region in comfort, without needing your own car.
Guest Mobility Ticket & more
Upon arrival, the Guest Mobility Ticket Salzburg allows you to use public transport throughout the entire federal state of Salzburg. In winter, the region's ski buses additionally provide easy access to the lower termini of the Schmittenhöhe, Kitzsteinhorn Glacier and Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn ski resorts. The use of these buses is included in the Ski ALPIN CARD and offers a convenient way to get to the ski resorts even without your own car. In addition to the existing mobility services, Zell am See-Kaprun offers the shuttle service “ÖBB Transfer” in cooperation with the Austrian Federal Railways. This service takes you directly from the train station in Zell am See to your holiday home in the region - and back to the station at the end of your stay. The shuttles can be booked up to the day before arrival and make it easier to arrive and continue your journey without your own car.
With "ÖBB Transfer" directly from the train to your accommodation
The shuttle service of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB | Österreichische Bundesbahnen) will take you comfortably from Zell am See train station to your accommodation in the Zell am See-Kaprun region – and back to the train station at the end of your stay. The shuttles can be booked up to the day before your planned trip directly in the ÖBB ticket shop as an “extra” for your departure or arrival. This makes it easy to combine train travel with transfers to the accommodation.
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Economy:
Regional value creation and responsible business practices
In Zell am See-Kaprun, various approaches are being pursued to combine economic development with environmental and sustainability goals. These include electricity generation from hydropower by VERBUND, energy and environmental management measures by the mountain railways, and the certification of tourism businesses with the Austrian Ecolabel.
We, the Zell am See-Kaprun region, have also been awarded the Austrian Ecolabel for Tourism Destinations certification since 2025. This allows measures and development processes in ecological, economic and social areas to be reviewed based on defined criteria.
The high mountain reservoirs are an important component of hydropower generation in the region. Pumped-storage and storage power plants play a central role in the energy system. Schmittenhöhebahn AG and Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG, the region’s two mountain railway companies, implement various energy and environmental management measures. The cable cars and lifts are powered by electricity from renewable energy sources. Schmittenhöhebahn AG operates according to the European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), while Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG uses an integrated quality, environmental, and energy management system.
Also, several tourism businesses in the region have been awarded the Austrian Ecolabel. Certification requires compliance with defined environmental and quality criteria, which are verified independently.
Certified tourism destination:
After successfully completing the certification process, Zell am See-Kaprun was awarded the Austrian Ecolabel for Tourism Destinations in autumn 2025. As part of the process, the region's sustainability measures and strategies were verified based on a comprehensive set of criteria.
The certification covers various subject areas – including mobility, use of resources, regional value creation and social aspects – and makes the measures taken transparent and verifiable.
Social aspects:
Cooperation and further development in the region
In addition to ecological and economic issues, cooperation with the people and businesses in the region also plays an important role.
Initiatives such as "Von Alpen das Beste Team" and the "Academy for Entrepreneurs" promote networking, further education, and the personal and professional development of employees and entrepreneurs.
The "Academy for Entrepreneurs" in Zell am See-Kaprun brings a breath of fresh air to the training of managers in the tourism sector by providing an educational programme that is specially tailored to the needs of hoteliers and their successors. At the same time, "Von Alpen das Beste Team" creates a working environment that promotes creativity and collaboration. Together, we strive to achieve more and ensure the long-term vibrance of our community.
Environment:
Nature and environmental protection in and around Zell am See-Kaprun
The natural landscapes and scenery surrounding Zell am See-Kaprun significantly shape the region. Their long-term preservation is therefore an important issue in regional development.
The Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria's largest and oldest national park, is of special importance.
Covering an area of 1,856 square kilometres, it offers protection for an impressive variety of flora and fauna, including around 15,000 to 20,000 animal species and over 300 mountain peaks of over 3,000 metres in height. As the home of the Grossglockner and the Pasterze, the park makes a significant contribution to preserving Austria's natural beauty and biodiversity.
Furthermore, various measures in the areas of energy, climate adaptation, mobility, and use of resources are being implemented in Zell am See-Kaprun. The aim is to integrate ecological requirements more strongly into the long-term development of the tourism region.