In response to an incident where a sign at the Pischa mountain station prohibited the rental of sledges to Jewish guests, a task force has introduced measures to prevent future misunderstandings between the local Davos population and international visitors. The incident, which drew global media attention, led to an apology from the restaurant operator, who stated that the notice was poorly worded.
To ensure Davos remains a welcoming destination for Jewish visitors, the task force, composed of political leaders, tourism officials, and members of the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities (SIG), has developed ten measures aimed at fostering better understanding and preventing accusations of antisemitism.
The task force, named “Understanding Process in Davos,” was led by former diplomat Michael Ambühl and lawyer Nora Meier. Key members included Davos Mayor Philipp Wilhelm, Davos Tourism Director Reto Branschi, and three Jewish community representatives, including SIG Secretary General Jonathan Kreutner.
Key measures and initiatives of the task force:
- Expansion of the Likrat Public Mediation Project: This initiative promotes cultural mediation between Orthodox Jewish guests and local hoteliers.
- Conflict De-escalation System: A system designed to manage misunderstandings and conflicts will be implemented. Davos Mayor Philipp Wilhelm emphasized the need for mechanisms to de-escalate potential conflicts swiftly.
- Revised Information Materials: Updates to informational resources aim to foster better understanding of Jewish culture and traditions.
- Preservation of Jewish History: Efforts will be made to preserve and highlight the Jewish history of Davos.
- Ombudsman’s Office: An ombudsman will be established to handle potential conflicts and complaints.
- Guidelines for Tourism Businesses: Davos tourism companies will receive guidelines to help them interact respectfully and knowledgeably with guests from diverse backgrounds.
The new strategy is intended to raise awareness among both the local population and visitors. “The measures will help ensure that everyone is more informed,” explained Jonathan Kreutner. This increased knowledge is expected to help resolve conflicts without generalization or discrimination and provide an avenue for guests to seek guidance from authoritative figures like rabbis.
Davos Tourism Director Reto Branschi stressed the importance of having more mediators in key locations, describing it as a significant improvement over previous efforts. These mediators will play a crucial role in implementing the new strategy effectively.
