The tourist information office in Waldbreitbach was extensively renovated and refurbished last year by the local municipality, which owns the building. Guests can now be welcomed again.
The 1st Chairman of the Touristik-Verband Wiedtal e.V., Mayor Hans-Werner Breithausen, welcomed the people involved to a small opening ceremony: "The barrier-free renovation of the entrance area and first floor was funded by the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Economic Affairs, Transport, Agriculture and Viticulture (MWVLW), which is responsible for tourism. Parts of the outdoor area are financed by LEADER funds. A total of €350,000.00 was invested, of which around 75% was funded."
"The tourist information center is the gateway to the vacation region. The municipalities have joined forces and can now offer guests comprehensive support for a successful stay. The digital expansion with information terminals will further increase convenience for guests. I am sure that many satisfied guests will enjoy their vacation and will be happy to come back," says Daniela Schmitt (FDP), the new Minister for Economic Affairs, Transport, Agriculture and Viticulture in Rhineland-Palatinate since May. The state has subsidized the renovation with around 239,000.
"The guest room has been made brighter and more spacious and equipped with a modern area for brochures and souvenirs. There is a large screen for guests next to the counter, which helps to provide advice on hiking trails or accommodation. The extended entrance area has been made completely barrier-free with a ramp and an automatic door," explains Florian Fark, Managing Director of Touristik-Verband Wiedtal e.V..
In addition to a seating area, the outdoor area also offers an e-bike charging station and storage facilities for bicycles. These were supported by LEADER funds.
Local mayor Martin Lerbs adds: "The renovation took place from March to December 2020. The building, which is over 250 years old, was not only visually upgraded, but also in terms of energy efficiency. The half-timbered façade in particular had a few surprises in store at the start of the work, which delayed completion. As a municipality, it was important to us to preserve the listed building for the townscape. The tourist information office has been housed here since the early 1980s and is now equipped for the future."
The reopening had to be postponed due to the pandemic. The tourist information office is currently open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 - 12:00 and 14:00 - 17:00. From summer onwards, longer opening hours will apply again, including at weekends and on public holidays.
A visit is not only recommended for overnight or day guests. Locals and visitors from the region are also welcome to take a look at the new rooms. You are sure to get a tip or two in the form of excursion brochures or from the staff. There will be no grand opening ceremony for the time being.
Three outdoor terminals in Wiedtal and Rengsdorfer Land are also part of the scope of funding from the Ministry of Economic Affairs. They are located in Waldbreitbach opposite the tourist information office, at the town hall in Rengsdorf in front of the tourist information office and in Anhausen at the Wäller Tour Iserbachschleife hiking parking lot. All terminals are easily accessible in terms of height and usability for the target group of wheelchair users. The weatherproof outdoor terminals can withstand rain and frost and are easy to use even in direct sunlight. This means that visitors have free access to information such as the hiking tour planner, booking software or a restaurant overview at all times.
Photos: David Vogt for Touristik-Verband Wiedtal e.V.
Caption: (from left to right)
Matthias Hardt, architect
Martin Lerbs, Mayor of Waldbreitbach
Minister Daniela Schmitt
Hans-Werner Breithausen, Mayor of the VG Rengsdorf-Waldbreitbach
Florian Fark, Managing Director of Touristik-Verband Wiedtal e.V.
Annette Born, Real Estate Management VG Rengsdorf-Waldbreitbach
Rolf Schmidt-Markoski, Leader representative