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Three municipalities are pooling their tourism resources. The new Bergwinkel tourism association is intended to strengthen the region. The first projects are already in the starting blocks.
Schlüchtern – “TAG” becomes “TVB”: Onomatopoeically, the abbreviation for the “Bergwinkel Tourism Association” is a catastrophe, but in terms of content, the TVB, which was founded on Thursday evening in Schlüchtern, has what it takes to become something important. And not just for the three municipalities involved.
There was correspondingly great interest in the founding meeting in the town hall, which was attended by 90 people – in roughly equal numbers from the participating municipalities of Schlüchtern, Steinau and Sinntal.
Three municipalities, one goal: The new Bergwinkel tourism association
The protagonists of the evening were visibly exuberant in advance. Schlüchtern's town hall boss Matthias Möller (non-party) joked: “We'll draw lots for a few positions. Then you just have to say: 'Yes, I want to.' Like in front of the altar.”
In his welcome address, Möller talked about the “wonderful moment” of the club’s founding. Because tourism is much more than an economic factor, it makes it possible to “make our homeland visible”. The three municipalities have a long, important history in common, and each has a lot to offer. “But together, as a tourist unit, we can do a lot more,” he emphasized and discussed the advantages with which the Bergwinkel could flourish: hiking and cycling trails, historic town centers, culture, variety of tastes and, above all, hospitality. And it's not just about attracting more guests, but rather strengthening the entire region and making the Bergwinkel even more livable and worth experiencing: “For everyone.”
First district councilor Andreas Hofmann (SPD) said that this was a great day for him as head of the tourism department. “We're all not just pulling together, but also in the right direction. And today we're gaining an important partner,” he reported as chairman of the supervisory board of the “Spessart Tourism and Marketing” company. Accordingly, the district had already contributed 10,000 euros to the founding, which is not a small amount considering the empty coffers that municipalities are complaining about today more than ever. He also discussed the domestic added value of tourism and supported this with figures.
Steinau's mayor Christian Zimmermann (independent) emphasized that the Bergwinkel destination could be marketed more easily as a community. And he named the advantages of the municipalities. “We have to market our home for guests, but also for ourselves,” he said and emphasized: “The Bergwinkel is the best of Vogelsberg, Spessart and Rhön.”
Sinntal's town hall boss Thomas Henfling (non-party) discussed the career that began in 2023. It took almost three years, but many discussions and the development of the concepts were worth it: “I am grateful that we did this together,” he said to his two counterparts. Henfling also highlighted the common intersection of the three municipalities: “Our region, our home.” And he appealed for support: “Join us,” he said to those listening.
New board receives its first tasks
After 23 volunteers were found from the audience to found the association, things got down to business under the leadership of Knut Koller and note taker Marah Naumann (both from the city of Schlüchtern): Koller presented the prepared statutes, which were adjusted in two points at the request of the founders and then approved. The statutes were then signed by the 23 founding members before going to the elections.
Stefanie Dallmann (city of Steinau) took over the election management, supported by Kerstin Baier-Hildebrand and Andrea Gutschalk (both city of Schlüchtern). The three chairmen (the mayors of the three municipalities) Möller, Zimmermann and Henfling as well as treasurer Claudia Dorn (Steinau) were elected unanimously. The board is supported by the assessors Horst Schmidt (Steinau), Thomas Rau (Schlüchtern) and Tanja Lotz (Sinntal). Lydia Kohlhepp and Liane Hart (both Schlüchtern) act as auditors.
After the contribution regulations were approved, the new board was entrusted with the first tasks: entry in the association register and the establishment of the TVB. The original goal of the association is to sustainably strengthen tourism in the Bergwinkel. The focus is on close cooperation between business, administration, clubs and tourism associations. To achieve this, the TVB must grow quickly.
“This is the beginning. Now it's about recruiting members,” explained Zimmermann. And Henfling emphasized what the goal must be in the future: “No path leads past the Bergwinkel.”
