The Alpentherme spa in Austrian ski resort Gastein in the province of Salzburgerland has been modernizing its facilities with a four million euros spend.
Among the new innovations is an impressive 300,000-litre seawater aquarium with around 800 fish from 14 different species from the Mediterranean, the largest 60cm long.
What’s more visitors can now swim through a nine-metre long tutnnel that runs through and beneath the giant fish tank located within the redesigned dome of the spa’s Family World.
The aquarium isn’t just an amazing visitor attraction though, it also requires sophisticated technology managed from a 200m2 control room.
The Alpentherme team want to raise awareness of marine and environmental protection. Marine biologist Murathan Özdemir is be on site for four months to train the team and specialist vet Tamara Frank carries out monthly visits. The Alpentherme is also working with diver and environmentalist Christian Redl and houses quarantine and hospital tanks for fish.
Alpentherme Gastein has also invested 2.5 million euros to make its heating operations climate-neutral by combining photovoltaic systems, heat pumps and the thermal use of Gastein’s thermal water. The region also promotes sustainable mobility with an e-car sharing service that offers guests environmentally friendly transportation options.