Graz cuts draw anger from tourism and sports groups

Tourism leaders and sports clubs have criticised Graz’s latest savings package, which includes ending city sponsorship for three major teams and cancelling a free tram service in the old town. ORF reported that the city government announced 55 further measures as it seeks to address its financial difficulties.

The package, presented on Wednesday, also includes staff cuts and reviews of rental and lease agreements. The city says it will not cut spending on education or sport, but sponsorship for football clubs Sturm Graz and GAK and ice hockey team Graz99ers is due to end in January.

After 13 years, the free Altstadt-Bim tram service in Graz’s old town will also stop in January. A free public transport Saturday during Advent is set to be dropped, and passengers will no longer be able to use a standard public transport ticket on the Schlossberg railway.

Graz tourism chief Dieter Hardt-Stremayr said the changes sent the wrong message to visitors. City manager Elisa Steinberger said they undermined the city’s goal of creating a welcoming atmosphere. Both warned that making the city centre harder to reach could be damaging as online retailers and shopping centres compete for customers.

Hardt-Stremayr also said the measures had come at short notice, leaving tourism operators to reconsider what they mean for the Graz Card, a tourist public transport ticket that has included the Schlossberg railway. Business experts, meanwhile, criticised the city for what they described as a lack of information, discussion and long-term thinking.

GAK said it was deeply concerned that the clubs learned of the end of sponsorship through the media rather than in a personal meeting. Sturm Graz said it was still considering its response.

Graz99ers general manager Bernd Vollmann called the decision disrespectful. The team said it would remove “Graz” from its name and logo from Friday at noon until Sunday at midnight as a silent protest. Vollmann said the clubs were working together on how to express their opposition, and that further joint steps were planned after Sturm returned from its Europa League trip to England.