The Obwalden municipality of Giswil wants to attract more mountain bike tourists in future to further develop its tourism industry. The municipal council is supporting a project to this end.

The Obwalden village of Giswil has not yet been able to make a name for itself as a tourist destination, but mountain bikers are now set to change this. The impetus for the development is to come from funds from the New Regional Policy (NRP) of the Canton of Obwalden. A working group of the municipal council has already drawn up a "Bike Arena Giswil" business plan and submitted it to the cantonal government. The project was found to be worthy of support, but funds have not yet been definitively allocated. Should the canton actually support the project, the municipality of Giswil will also make a financial contribution.

The plan is to start with a "natural bike park" in Giswil. A circuit with stations where bikers can refine their technique. In addition, three existing tours are to be signposted. The Giswil project is set to run for two years and cost 180,000 francs. The money will be invested in the construction of the Nature Bike Park, the signposting and the marketing of the offers. It is hoped that this project will establish the region as a mountain bike destination and increase added value in the village. The nearby Bikearena Emmetten, which is considered a success in the region, serves as a model for this development. In 2013, the Bikearena Emmetten is said to have attracted 300 guests. The question remains as to whether 300 mountain bikers per year can be considered a success and actually generate higher added value.

Good work at the grassroots level

The mountain biker base in Central Switzerland is becoming increasingly active. There are interest groups in the cantons of Lucerne, Zug, Nidwalden and Uri, some of which also maintain good relations with the authorities. In the canton of Uri there is even a cantonal specialist office for mountain biking. If you want to support the regional movements, you should register as a member: