The mountaineering village of Vent

The Mountaineering Villages initiative unites villages that have established alpinism in their regions. The members in Austria, Germany, Italy and Slovenia are committed to implement the protocols of the Alpine Convention, for example a sustainable development and protection of the Alps. Their tourism offer is geared to experienced mountaineers, focuses on an excellent quality of landscapes and environment, and preserves local culture and nature's values. Mountaineering villages are Alpine centers of excellence that promote responsible behavior and environmental awareness of their guests on the mountain.

Villages must meet severe criteria in order to receive the official name of "Mountaineering Village". In addition to the historical connection with alpinism and the intact village and landscape image, the tourism philosophy must represent the following points:

- Focus on different forms of alpinism and holistic nature experience
- Showing restraint in the field of technical development of the high mountain area
- Restriction to small business sizes and regionally anchored providers in guest accommodation
- Long-term conservation of Alpine refuge huts (as high-altitude tourist accommodation with base character and in addition to the lodging providers in the valley)

The priest Franz Senn came to the mountain village of Vent in 1860 as a curate. Then he developed his first tourism concept, focusing on the variety of experiences on the mountain that should be accessible to all. The locals should assist guests with lodgings and mountain guide services and thus ensure the continued existence of the secluded Alpine village. Based on this concept, the German Alpine Club was founded and the sections of the Alpine Club with several refuge huts and shelters were built.

Vent's locals have internalized this philosophy, this is shown in a press release dating from 12 July 1980. The population is in favor of further developing the successful formula based on Franz Senn's ideas, rather than upgrading for mass tourism in a technical way. Since August 2015, one of the six information points of the Ötztal Nature Park can be found in the parish house of Vent. The themed exhibition shows the long Alpine history of the village. Down to the present day Vent is one of the most committed members of the Mountaineering Villages initiative.