Uri: Initiative demands construction ban for new hotels on the Isleten – News

A popular initiative wants to prevent a tourism project from being built on the industrial site on the Isleten.

When it comes to tourism in the canton of Uri, the name Samih Sawiris inevitably comes up. The Egyptian investor has awakened the ski resort of Andermatt from its slumber with his tourism project. He has been active in Uri for around 15 years and was awarded honorary citizenship by the government and parliament for his economic achievements.

A resort on the Islet: yes or no?

With his latest project, the successful businessman is now facing headwinds: a popular initiative is intended to prevent the resort project on the Isleten in Lake Uri.

On November 24th, Uri voters will vote on the Greens’ “Isleten for All” initiative. This calls for a ban on new hotel and apartment complexes on the Isleten.

Opponents of the project argue that the lake delta is listed in the federal inventory of landscapes and natural monuments in Switzerland – and is therefore protected. Building on the planned scale at this point is not permitted at all. And anyway: the project is oversized.

It’s too big and doesn’t bring in the clientele we want in this area.

The opponents of the project – politically led by the Greens and SP – want a gentle tourism project for the Islet. “The project is too big – and it won’t bring in the customers we want in this sensitive area,” says Eveline Lüönd.

Samih Sawiris, however, assures that the entire area will remain fully accessible to the population. According to the latest – resized – plans, the project extends over 37,000 square meters. Plans include 50 hotel rooms and a marina with 50 boat berths.

Tourism development opportunities are particularly important in the lower part of the canton.

The project’s supporters argue with the possible added value. They emphasize the economic importance for the financially strapped canton of Uri.

“It would be good for the canton because it generates added value,” says Ivo Schillig. He is president of the cantonal FDP and heads the counter-committee. There are tourism development opportunities in the upper part of the canton around Andermatt, “and it would be good if there were corresponding opportunities in the lower part too,” says Schillig.

Trust in approval procedures

Ivo Schillig also admits that the project may need to be modified so that it can be approved. However, this should be clarified in the regular approval process.

Eveline Lüönd from the Greens, on the other hand, believes that an early ban through the initiative is the only way to ensure that the Islet is not sacrificed to economic interests.

The Uri government and parliament reject the Isleten initiative. It is difficult to estimate how voters will decide on November 24th. The voting campaign is being conducted more violently than usual in Uri.