Economy Of Rauris

Nestled in the central Austrian Alps, Rauris has a rich tourism industry and a long history linked to gold mining. With an incredible 420,000 nighttime visits per year, the municipality’s revenue now depends mainly on tourism; nevertheless, it has effectively preserved and displayed its gold mining history with sites such as the gold panning site, gold mine and mining museum.

The gold mining history of Rauris begins when traders and adventurers used the valley as a path. Archaeological evidence showing gold mining as early as 400 BC highlights the region’s long-standing affinity for the metal. Gold production reached its peak in the 15th century, when strong families dominated the market and supplied Venice and the Archbishop of Salzburg. Unfortunately, the depletion of resources led to the abandonment of the mines in the 17th century. The lack of economic viability prevented sustained expansion of the industry, although there were some brief attempts to revive gold mining in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Attracting hikers, mountaineers and environmentalists, Rauris began to become a renowned tourist attraction in the 18th century. The creation of the Hohe Tauern National Park in 1981 added to the appeal of the valley. Among the many species present, we find the most numerous bearded vulture in the Alps. Open from December to April, the Rauris Hochalmbahnen ski resort has 32 km of slopes and 10 ski lifts, offering winter sports enthusiasts activities such as skiing, snowshoeing and ice climbing. For these fans, Rauris has also become a refuge.

Despite several challenges, the tourism sector currently generates 80% of Rauris’ local revenue. The problems of seasonality, competitiveness and environment are still not resolved. Yet Rauris took deliberate action to overcome these challenges. The municipality’s plan is to embrace sustainability, emphasize unique selling qualities and vary its tourism offerings. A notable achievement is the development of a specialist birding business using the rare bearded vulture as a unique attraction. By simultaneously exploring efforts in renewable energy sources such as solar panels and biomass heating, Rauris has focused on reducing its carbon footprint and energy bills.