La San Salvatore Funicular Company The company begins a new phase in its history with a change in management. During the latest meeting of the Board of Directors, Francesco Markesch was bid farewell, concluding a 26-year career, the last five of which as director.
For the occasion, the Board wanted to thank him with a short ceremony, recognizing his contribution to the company's development and the numerous initiatives implemented during his tenure.
Effective July 1, 2026, the company will be led by Stephan Römer, who will continue the funicular's growth and guide the company through the future challenges of the tourism sector.
Twenty-six years of activity and strategic investments
Francesco Markesch's time at the company was marked by an intense investment program aimed at improving infrastructure, safety, and sustainability.
Among the most significant projects is the complete renovation of the system, completed in 2024 thanks to an investment of several million francs. During the same period, safety along the line was improved by installing rockfall barriers along the route.
Work was also carried out on the company's buildings. The Vetta Restaurant underwent a facade renovation, while a photovoltaic system was installed on the roof for greater energy efficiency.
More recently, in early 2026, the renovation of the historic chalet located at the Paradiso departure station was also completed, contributing to the enhancement of the company's real estate assets.
A record year for the San Salvatore Funicular
The change at the top comes after a particularly positive financial year. 2025 closed with results exceeding expectations, confirming the growing interest in the San Salvatore Funicular.
Over the course of the year, 292.074 passengers were recorded, the highest number ever achieved by the system. This result demonstrates the funicular's increasingly important role in the Lugano tourist offering and the company's ability to attract visitors from both Switzerland and abroad.
The high turnout also confirms the effectiveness of the investments made in recent years to improve the passenger experience and the reliability of the infrastructure.
Stephan Römer takes over management
Stephan Römer, a professional with extensive experience in Swiss tourism, is taking up the baton.
Throughout his career, he has held management positions in various companies in the sector, developing skills in operational management, offer planning, and the promotion of mountain destinations.
His professional career has led him to work in different regions of Switzerland, including Andermatt, Zurich, and the Bernese Oberland, gaining in-depth knowledge of the dynamics of the national tourism sector.
The new management's goal will be to continue the development of the San Salvatore Funicular Company, consolidating its position among the area's top tourist attractions and addressing the opportunities that await the sector in the coming years.
Thanks from the Board of Directors
In announcing the change, the Board of Directors expressed its appreciation to Francesco Markesch for his work over a quarter century within the company.
At the same time, President Eugenio Brianti and the entire Board of Directors wished Stephan Römer the best of luck in his new role, believing that his experience in tourism provides a solid foundation for guiding the San Salvatore Funicular into a new phase of growth.
