Over 573 people are now members of the Austrian Alpine Association (ÖAV). The members of the German Alpine Club DAV have more than doubled since 000. Both clubs gained an above-average number of members from the urban and non-Alpine population.
In Vienna alone, the Alpine Club had an impressive 2018 Alpine Club members in 136 - that is almost a quarter of all members in Austria and over 058 Viennese mountain sports enthusiasts more than in the previous year. The German Alpine Association, with its 9 members, moves in completely different dimensions. With its size, the DAV is pretty much alone in the German sports club landscape, because most sports clubs have stagnating or falling membership numbers.
Yearning for nature, tranquility and originality
That the influx to the near-natural alpine club is so pronounced, especially in the urban area, is easily comprehensible for the voluntary association management of the PES.
“In our increasingly digitalized world that is far from nature, the need for nature experiences, for tranquility and authenticity is growing. The Alpine Club has made it its mission to satisfy this deep longing for 'outside'. "
President of the Alpine Club ÖAV, Andreas Ermacora
The DAV celebrates its 150. birthday
Growth continues
“The steady increase in membership in the provincial capitals of Austria clearly shows that the connection between the city and the mountains is anything but a contradiction in terms. Our varied range of leisure activities makes the Alpine Club particularly attractive for 'city dwellers' ”, emphasizes Fritz Macher, first chairman of the Vienna Alpine Club Austria.
An end to this development is not in sight for the time being.
"Mountain sports and being close to nature are still very popular."
Dieter Holzweber, first chairman of the Alpenverein Gebirgsverein
It sounds similar with the German Alpine Club. Since the year 2000, the DAV has recorded annual growth of between four and five percent.
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Credits: Titel picture Alpine Club / Norbert Freudenthaler