Süddeutsche Zeitung, Germany’s second largest daily newspaper recently published a report about the result of a strategy we developed years ago for the Swiss ski resort St. Moritz.

In the tourism industry it is like it is in all other industries and in life too: There is a constant back and forth, up and down. Several years ago the ski resort St. Moritz was in a rather difficult situation, in regard to image. At the time there was a series of structural problems. Aged palatial hotels, an infra structure in need of an overhaul, a sudden withdrawal of the gentlemen of the world who shaped the “Playboy” generation, a jetset that all of a sudden didn’t want to be seen in glossy society magazines anymore and last but not least a lack of culture when it comes to food and drinks.

It was our recommendation to change what could be changed without difficulty, namely the quality of the gastronomic choice. We developed a strategy that was going to turn St. Moritz and its surroundings, the beautiful Engadine, into a culinary Eldorado. In co-operation with the gastronomy and open-minded hoteliers, chefs from around the world were invited to a gourmet festival in St. Moritz. Already the first gourmet festival sparked a huge wave of enthusiasm with the guests. And after a short period of time the goal of establishing a new wining and dining culture was reached.

And even though the gourmet festival has long fulfilled its role, it is still organized every year and in the meantime it has become one of the great highlights of the winter sports resort St. Moritz that has regained international fame. St. Moritz is no longer the only place in the world where they are celebrating a gourmet festival. According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, they are taking place all over Europe. From the North Sea to the Algarve, the gourmet festival has found imitators. Now there is even a gourmet festival à la St. Moritz in China. If you want to find out more about the original: www.stmoritz-gourmetfestival.ch.