Press Release
May 2, 2001
With public officials, neighbours and general contractors on hand, today witnessed the formal groundbreaking ceremony
for Hapimag's "Vitget Alpin" resort in the Gutveina quarter of Flims, Switzerland. Hapimag is investing
approximately CHF 50 million in the project that, as of December 2003, is expected to attract each year an additional
120,000 overnight stays in the Alpine Arena.
Hapimag and Feridence holiday owners today already have a total of 55 rent-free resorts at their disposal in 17
countries in Europe and around the world. Over the course of the coming five years, the company anticipates that
it will considerably increase the number of its holiday owners from today's total of 130,000. With its new product,
Feridence, Hapimag is primarily aiming to attract as holiday owners a growing number of families with children.
For that reason, "Vitget Alpin" - in English, "the little village in the mountains" - has been
designed, right from the start of planning in early 2000, also to meet the needs of families.
Vitget Alpin fulfils every holiday wish
Hapimag is investing roughly CHF 50 million in its Flims project. Under construction over the next two years are
137 studio, two-room and a generous portion of family-friendly 3-room apartments, distributed amongst a total of
12 buildings. Holiday owners will also have at their doorstep a variety of leisure-time opportunities - such as
an indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath, fitness room, restaurant and playgrounds for children. Hapimag places great
value on ensuring that its holiday residences blend in harmoniously with the local surroundings and that, whenever
possible, local and regional tradesmen are involved in the planning and construction work.
Official groundbreaking
Hapimag's General Manager, Marco Hartmann, was visibly pleased at today's groundbreaking ceremony that the 56th
Hapimag holiday residence - the fifth in Switzerland - is, among all other places, being realised in the canton
of Grisons. Following a preparatory, planning and approval phase of only one year, it was possible today to commence
with the actual construction work. Marco Hartmann took advantage of the occasion to express his sincere gratitude
to the public officials and neighbours in attendance for the warm reception they have given to Hapimag in Flims.
In his remarks, municipal mayor Gaudenz Beeli alluded to the economic significance the project has for the region:
"Hapimag and "Vitget Alpin" will lend a positive aura to the overall regional economy and, without
a doubt, to our entire community. Aside from the construction of the Arena Express and the highway by-pass of Flims,
this facility is certainly one of the most prominent tourism projects being realised today."
Year-round operation
According to information provided by Marco Hartmann, the capacity utili-sation of the holiday village is expected
to be at a level in excess of 85%, representing an additional 120,000 overnight stays per year for Flims. The holiday
residence will be open throughout the year, with the exception of a brief closure each spring to enable maintenance
work to be performed. The grand opening of the 5th Hapimag holiday resort in Switzerland is slated for December
of 2003.
Hapimag is an internationally leading provider of high-quality holiday opportunities, and currently employs more
than 1400 individuals throughout the world.
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CONTACT:
media.relations@hapimag.com http://www.hapimag.com
SOURCE: Hapimag