Two lists to contest Hallein tourism board election

At least two lists will compete in the November election for the board of the Hallein Tourism Association, ORF reported Friday. About 900 eligible voters will be able to choose between them.

Discontent in Hallein had focused mainly on tourism association director Rainer Candido. The decision by two restaurants to effectively barricade themselves during the city festival ultimately triggered a protest and the formation of a second list around optician Joseph Schauer.

Schauer expects to have a good chance in the election. The Schöninger list, which currently leads the tourism association, also says it has strong prospects.

Neither side described the contest as a showdown for tourism. Both said they wanted to work together after the election, which is expected to take place in late autumn.

A public survey on the city festival is also expected to take place in Hallein at around the same time, with academic support from the University of Salzburg. The city recently invested just over 100,000 euros in the festival, while the tourism association contributed the same amount.