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To back this up, I suggest you have a close look at the development of Zermatt. A special, privileged group of valley people, the "flatlanders", as many outsiders were once called, discovered the potential delights this remote little village high above the valley long before this writer first saw the light of day. Naturally enough it fell upon the unsophisticated locals to provide shelter for these first tourists after they made the arduous journey upwards on treacherous mountain paths. And provide they did. Think of it now - these "unsophisticated locals" - formed the front line in the development of the sleek and sophisticated alpine holiday destination that is Zermatt today. Where once stood farmhouses stand the four star hotels of today. What once was grazing land for cattle evolved into ski slopes and tennis courts. Zermatt was born, cultivated and then responsibility was passed along the generation line. If you have ever been to Zermatt you won't need me to point out the results. But for those who have still to make their first visit, let me tell you that Zermatt is a well - honed, year 'round resort that offers something for everyone in just about every season. You'll find places to stay, eat and drink that are largely unparalleled in the Alps. These prosper because of the results of total exploitation of the area's natural resources into a skiing and summer paradise that knows no equal in Europe. My goodness they've even built some of the nicest swimming pools I have seen inside the confines of a hotel to make up for the fact that Zermatt is not a beach resort as well. It's all there, and it all attests to the fact that as far as this writer can see, the valuable heritage that was presented to the penultimate and current generation of Zermatters was not squandered. Throw into this vast broil a sprinkle of superbly stylish foreign entrepreneurs and non-Zermatt, Swiss go - getters, and a picture of cosmopolitan excellence begins to emerge. A great complimenting mixture of tradition and verve and an acceptance that each basically needs the other not only to survive, but also to prosper. Needed to oil all of this tourism-related machinery is an army of workers that little Switzerland is both ill prepared and not pre - disposed to provide. Enter the non - local, local color. Countries as far apart in culture as they are in distance supply care free, working holiday, bar tenders, waitresses, cooks, taxi drivers, porters, night managers, snow shovellers, shit shovellers, whatever. You think they don't mix and mingle? C'mon brother, give yourself a little shake. The result? Liasons. Commitments. Families. New generations-not einheimsh Zermatters in the true sense of the word - earned their way into the current populace and have provided their labor and talents to help it prosper. Who cares if their Zermatt dialect is spoken with an Italian, Aussie or Scottish accent? Can it be a bad thing? Nope! Can it add to the flavor of the resort? Yep! Can it make it better? It can and it does. This is a true melting pot with Zermatters and foreigners side by side, each needing the other to, well, live. Because of that, and because of this mutual need and, yes, affection, Zermatt keeps its foreigners and gives them the freedom, means and infrastructure to survive and prosper. This attracts more foreigners. Those drawn to the large and largely friendly foreign community, which, like a giant rolling snowball gathering snow and therefore strength, attracts even more. This in turn gives the Zermatter extra confidence and freedom. Secure in the knowledge that the back office, the infrastructure, the bars and restaurants, the front office, whatever, are in safe and friendly hands, he or she gains precious time to improve, the offerings and the reality that creates this superstar among ski and holiday destinations. It works, you'll see. Well that's my theory anyway. |