Driver is stepping back, departing
In the picturesque Lüneburg Heath, a unique blend of carriage operations, property owners, nature conservationists, communities, and tourism professionals coexist, creating an intricate tapestry of tradition and modernity.
Britta Albers, a one-woman operation based in the region, is almost fully booked for August, with only three rides remaining available. Her business specialises in offering special carriage rides, catering to a growing demand for unique experiences among visitors. Interestingly, her daughter stands ready to step in if needed.
Carriage rides in the Lüneburg Heath are primarily used by prior reservation, a fact confirmed by Martina Klein of Schneverdingen Tourism and Britta Albers herself. Around half of the bookings come from bus companies, while approximately 40 percent are private advance bookings. The remaining 10 percent are spontaneous, indicating a more planned approach to this traditional mode of transport.
Klaus Meyer, a specialist in annual dental care for horses, operates the largest business in the region with 16 teams. He shares that maintaining a team costs around 10,000 euros per year, a significant expense considering the reduced number of teams and the unprofitability of the business for some operators. Carriage maintenance costs are not specified but are implied to be high given these factors.
The high regulatory requirements and the difficulty in finding employees with appropriate coach training make finding successors for a carriage business challenging, according to Margret Hedder of Bispingen Tourism. Klaus Meyer, however, trains future coachmen from all over Germany in Schneverdingen.
Hilke Feddersen, director of the nature park, has played a crucial role in improving the relationship between various parties in the Lüneburg Heath. Through a dialogue project, she has achieved agreements on the maintenance of paths and mandatory annual basic courses and further training for coachmen. This collaboration ensures the preservation of the region's traditional carriage rides while addressing the concerns of all stakeholders.
The nature park has compiled an overview of the carriage offers, complete with maps and contact addresses, making it easier for visitors to plan their carriage ride experiences in the Lüneburg Heath. Despite the challenges, the tradition of carriage rides in this beautiful region continues to thrive, offering a unique and memorable experience for tourists.
However, profitability remains a concern for many operators. Steffen Meyer, son of Klaus Meyer, states that the carriage business is no longer profitable. Britta Albers echoes this sentiment, mentioning that expanding her business would no longer be profitable due to ongoing costs and the increased minimum wage for coachmen. These challenges highlight the delicate balance between preserving tradition and ensuring the economic viability of such businesses in the Lüneburg Heath.
