The new CEO of Zermatt Bergbahnen

The Board of Directors of Zermatt Bergbahnen appointed Martin Hug as the new CEO of the company at its meeting on 18 April 2023. Martin Hug succeeds Markus Hasler, who has successfully led Zermatt Bergbahnen since 15 April 2011 and under whose leadership over CHF 350 million has been invested.

Martin Hug has many years of experience in the cable car and tourism industry and is well-versed in the important cooperation with various performance partners within a destination, which is essential for a cable car company. Since 2021, the native of Grisons has been serving as a part-time mayor of Flims and also as owner and managing director of the consulting firm enmira GmbH, which specializes in issues related to cable cars, tourism, environment, mobility, and energy. He is also the president of the industry association Bergbahnen Graubünden.

Martin Hug studied business administration at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Chur. From 2001 to 2005, he worked as managing director of the Gotschna and Madrisabahn and then as deputy managing director of the merged Davos Klosters Bergbahnen AG. During this time, he was also a board member of the tourism organizations Klosters and Davos. From 2005 to 2020, Martin Hug was a member of the management team of the Weisse Arena Gruppe and was responsible for the operations of the Weisse Arena Bergbahnen AG as well as for the area of lifts and construction.

As Chairman of the Board of Directors of Zermatt Bergbahnen, Franz Julen is pleased that the succession of Markus Hasler can be arranged so early: "The strategy of Zermatt Bergbahnen is based on top quality, top service, investment power, innovation, and a product price that reflects this premium strategy. After the successful era of Markus Hasler, Martin Hug is the right person to consistently drive this strategy forward. Thanks to his personality and great leadership experience, he fits perfectly into our corporate culture. His track record is convincing. He knows the cable car and tourism business very well and knows how important good cooperation between cable cars, tourism organizations, other performance partners, authorities, and environmental organizations is for the success of a destination. After a three-month introductory period, he will successfully lead our company into the future from 1 January 2025."

Martin Hug, designated CEO of Zermatt Bergbahnen, says of his appointment: "I am extremely excited to take on this exciting challenge. For me, this step represents the culmination of my professional career in the cable car and tourism industry. The visions, investment and innovation power of Zermatt Bergbahnen have fascinated me from the beginning. The expressed trust of the Board of Directors honors me greatly and I will do everything in my power to ensure that this flagship company can continue its success story. It is very important to me to successfully complete my current tasks, such as the mayoralty in Flims and my advisory mandates, before starting my new position."

Markus Hasler, who will reach retirement age in May 2024, will continue to lead Zermatt Bergbahnen until the end of 2024 and thus ensure a seamless transition to his successor. Franz Julen says: "The Board of Directors thanks Markus Hasler for his flexibility and is convinced that he will continue to lead Zermatt Bergbahnen until 31 December 2024, with his own passion, competence, and consistency. We thank Markus now for everything he has done and will continue to do for the company during his time as CEO."