--- title: "Cooperative" url: "https://www.bellwald.ch/en/destination/service-providers-businesses/cooperative" language: "en" breadcrumb: "Root > Bellwald Tourist Office > Destination > Service Providers & Businesses > Cooperative" --- Cooperative for the development of tourism infrastructure Looking for Pioneers with Vision **Belief in the Future and Care for One’s Village** Leading a growing mountain village into a successful tourism-driven future — this was the goal behind the founding of the cooperative to promote tourism infrastructure 50 years ago, and that goal remains just as relevant today. The cooperative’s history has been shaped by both achievements and setbacks. Many ideas led to success; others were less fortunate. But the focus was always forward-looking, with new tasks and goals continually embraced. Today, the cooperative once again faces the question of which direction to take. There is no ready-made answer — but what’s needed now more than ever are visionary pioneers. **The Origin** **Once upon a time, there was a spirit of new beginnings...** Belief in the future and a deep concern for their own village were the driving forces behind the founding of the Cooperative for the Promotion of Tourism Infrastructure in Bellwald. “In a year, I’ll have about three million francs ready for you. I don’t have a single cent yet, but I’ll get it together.” How would you react to such a statement today? Exactly—you’d likely dismiss it as empty talk, a fairytale spun from bold words and wishful thinking. And yet, that’s exactly what the founders of the cooperative declared on February 8, 1976. They promised the then ski lift company PUMAG a sum of 500,000 Swiss francs to help expand the lift system in Bellwald. Empty talk? Not at all. The cooperative kept its word within a year. It convinced many who cared deeply about Bellwald and successfully raised the necessary funds. The lifts were expanded, and Bellwald’s rapid development as a tourism destination began. At the time, the municipality of Bellwald and private businesses were financially unable to meet the demands of the village’s rapid tourism growth. In the early 1970s, the number of guest beds in Bellwald multiplied within a short period. It quickly became clear in the mountain village that the infrastructure couldn’t keep up without additional financial support. There were no legal means to require property owners or developers to contribute to the growth of the resort. “So we had to create our own bank to kick-start the funding of essential projects,” one of the founders recalls. The idea: each person should invest 500 francs per guest bed in the cooperative's capital. This money would go toward developing and expanding the village’s tourism offerings—something that would, in turn, benefit every property owner. “It wasn’t easy convincing people to give 500 francs per guest bed to the cooperative,” another founder remembers. “But we believed in the mission. Together, we succeeded in persuading locals, tradespeople, and chalet owners from near and far that this money wouldn’t benefit the cooperative—it would benefit them personally.” Members of various local associations even went door-to-door to inform and inspire the community. Within a year, more than 400,000 Swiss francs in capital had been raised. This laid the foundation for the cooperative’s long-term success—success that would significantly shape the future of Bellwald as a holiday destination. The Power of the Possible \* Participation through the cooperative The municipality receives electricity The completed road down to the valley accelerated the development of tourism. Building of the first vacation house The first hotel in Bellwald was opened. Opening of the Fürgangen-Bellwald Cable car With the cable car now linking Bellwald to the valley, a major transformation began. Construction of the first ski lift Founding of the Verkehrsverein With the founding of the Verkehrsverein, the transformation from a farming village to a tourist destination began. Establishment of the drinking water system Construction of the Wannenhorn Hotel Construction of the second ski lift Construction of the trainer lift Opening of the road to the valley 450 guest beds and 30,000 overnight stays Founding of Pro Unter- und Mittelgoms AG (PUMAG) Construction of the third ski lift Construction of the Richinen chairlift, the Matten ski lift, and the first tennis courts. And also the founding year of the Cooperative for the Promotion of Tourism Infrastructure in Bellwald. Construction of the Fleschen restaurant by the municipality and cooperative\* Construction of the Hotel zur Alten Gasse Reconstruction of the restaurant after avalanche damage\* Construction of the first mini golf course\* 2,000 guest beds and 138,000 overnight stays. Construction of the second Furggulti chairlift\* Founding of the Foundation Altes Bellwald \* Construction of the Ambassador Hotel Construction of the new school building Construction of the sports field with five tennis courts by the municipality. 3,470 guest beds and 185,000 overnight stays. Construction of the Spittel alpine hut\* Renovation and expansion of the Fleschen restaurant and construction of the Gassen mini golf courses\* Construction of the Gassen skatepark\* Opening of the Spittel Ecomuseum\* Construction of the snowmaking system\* 4,200 guest beds and 195,000 overnight stays, and the takeover of the Gassen sports and leisure facilities by the cooperative. Sale of the Fleschen restaurant\* Construction of the Gassen operations building\* and construction of the nature and recreation park by the municipality. Construction of the Kinderland Playground Gassen\* Expansion of the terrace by the recreational facilities\* Construction of the Gassen bocce court\* and construction of the Gassen Gadebar\* Construction of the Kinderhort (daycare center) \* Event Cabin Alpengruss\* Expansion of Kinderland\* A commitment that achieved a lot With zero francs in the cash register, the cooperative started on February 8, 1976. Through the great dedication of many, it became a source of support for numerous projects. Type of use of fundsCooperative shareApproximate total investmentInvestment in Bahnen Bellwald435 000.-11 000 000.-Investment in Rest. Fleschen250 000.-1 140 000.-Investment altes Bellwald: Foundation capital50 000.-550 000.-Alphütte Spittel30 000.-150 000.-Ecomuseum Facilities10 000.-85 000.-Bakehouse Ried10 000.-50 000.-Participation in the renovation of the Unnera water pipeline30 000.-200 000.-Investments in sports and recreational facilities270 000.-3 520 000.-Service building Gassen320 000.-370 000.-Gadebar360 000.-410 000.- Development of capital YearCooperative capital19750.-1980497‘000.-1985640‘000.-1990668‘000.-1995650‘000.-2000700‘500.-2005764‘500.-2010799‘000.-2012918‘500.- Meeting minutes of the general meetings - Minutes of the 2026 General Meeting - Minutes of the 2025 General Meeting - Minutes of the 2024 General Meeting - Minutes of the 2023 General Meeting - Minutes of the 2022 General Meeting - Minutes of the 2021 General Meeting - Minutes of the 2020 General Meeting Annual Report - Annual Report - Annual Report 2024 - Annual Report 2023 - Annual Report 2022 - Annual Report 2021 - Annual Report 2020 Membership Registration Form