Rheinfall 2000+

Developing a Tourist Attraction

Initial Situation

Rejuvenating a Brownfield Site

The Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen is the biggest waterfall in Europe and one of Switzerland’s most visited tourist destinations. In the late 1990s, visitor numbers declined steadily as did the average time spent there and income from consumption. The increasing costs of maintaining the area around the Rhine Falls outstripped revenues.

Generis AG was commissioned to develop a concept to increase the attractiveness of the Rhine Falls. The aim was to increase the time spent by visitors to this spectacle of nature and to improve the return on infrastructure at the site.

Project Profile

Visitors per year

Years

Approach

Feasibility Study

The landowners of the Rhine Falls, the cantons of Zurich and Schaffhausen, commissioned a consultation on how the Rhine Falls could be made more attractive. Generis AG developed a visionary concept, partially inspired by the marketing of the largest waterfalls and tourist attractions on other continents.

In its Feasibility Study, Generis AG developed the concept of an integrated tourist destination, following the St.Gallen Management Model for tourist destinations, and made this available to the public.

Achievements

Implementing individual elements

The overall concept was rejected due to political opposition. However, individual elements within the overall concept were picked up by the 2 cantons, adopted and implemented over the following years to make the Rhine Falls more attractive.

Subsequently, visitor numbers to the Falls have increased once again as these measures have gained traction.