The future in outdoor tourism
© Fair Trails®/Thomas Sattler
Travelling for a better world
Mountain sportsman and tourism mastermind, Günter Mussnig (“Trail Angels”), on his love for Nepal – and the future of outdoor tourism. by Alfred Brunner
Well-trodden paths are not his. Instead, Günter Mussnig wants to enable a new, fairer way of traveling.beaten tracks are not his. Instead, Günter Mussnig wants to facilitate a new, fairer way of traveling.
Günter handing over water filters during the last Fair Trails® Explorer Tour in Nepal as part of the Impact project on site, which is financially supported by a part of the tour proceeds © Fair Trails®/Thomas Sattler
“You have just returned from your 19th trip to Nepal. What fascinates you about Nepal?
As a mountaineer, I am fascinated first and foremost by the mountains. But after all the traveling, the feeling of returning to friends dominates. Many of my best friends are from Nepal.
Was warWhat was the most intense experience in all your Nepal travels?
What was the most intense experience in all your Nepal travels?
Still present is the hostage-taking in 2022 by a Maoist rebel group during our expedition to Dhaulagiri 7. We were partly to blame ourselves, since at that time there was a civil war. But after two days we were released anyway.
Your company “Trail Angels” stands for sustainable tourism, especially for perfectly organized long-distance hiking. How is outdoor tourism changing?
The dominant theme is genuine sustainability – in the areas of mobility, nutrition, and local social commitment. The mega trend of individualization with high levels of service and comfort is also on the rise. It is also exciting that long-distance trails often become a life project, where a few stages are discovered each year.
With “Fair-Trails.com” you want to change the future of travel at all. Doesn’t that sound a bit over the top?
Impact first! In our long-distance travels, we start with impact in mind – in concrete terms, we help the partners and people on the ground with fair payment, insurance coverage and the consistent integration of local experts. This creates sustainable added value. Moreover, 4 percent of gross sales flow directly into environmental and educational projects in the country.
Your flagship product “Alpe Adria Trail” celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. What are you particularly proud of?
The functioning transnational cooperation of three countries! The “Alpe Adria Trail” also proves that sustainable long-distance hiking trails can be economically successful – after all, we are talking about more than 10 million euros in added value per year.
Und waAnd what else needs to be done?s ist noch zu tun?
A lot, especially in the tourist infrastructure. We are also planning e-shuttle buses.
Which outdoor regions are still on your personal bucket list?
Unfortunately, far too many. Unique alpine tours in the north of India are currently at the top of the list.
You are a real mountain goat. Do you prefer ski touring in winter or trekking in summer?
Unfair question, both equally important.
What does nature generally give you?
Almost everything, because I can not live without nature.”
The interview with Trail Angels CEO Günter Mussnig in the current Sportaktive issue
Author
Günter Mussnig
The graduate geographer is one of the founders and managing directors of Trail Angels, which is responsible for the Bookyourtrail.com web platform. As a trekking & outdoor enthusiast, he is one of the fathers of the Alpe-Adria Trail and has been exploring the Nepalese Himalayas for more than 25 years.
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