A Home Above the Lake

For Vera Weber, the Grandhotel Giessbach is more than just a job; it’s a cherished home overlooking the picturesque Brienzensee in Switzerland. Her mother played a pivotal role in the hotel’s renovation during the 1980s, leading to Vera spending nearly every childhood weekend within its walls.

Today, Ms.Weber directs this historic establishment, which her parents onc saved from demolition. I’m at home here, she emphasizes, highlighting the deep personal connection she feels to the hotel. While she currently manages the hotel, she views her role as temporary, intending to pass the reins to a suitable successor. Her true passion lies beyond the hospitality industry,in the realm of environmental activism.

Fueled by Conviction

Vera Weber is a dedicated animal rights activist, conservationist, and advocate. I can’t help it, she says. It is not a role, not a duty – it is an inner conviction. As president of the Fondation Franz Weber, she continues her family’s legacy, notably spearheading the initiative against second homes.

Anger about injustice is a source of strength.

Protecting landscapes and preventing animal suffering fuels her activism. Anger about injustice is also a source of strength, she explains. A notable victory was the decade-long fight against the Oceanium project at the Basel Zoo, which aimed to create an aquarium with marine animals. The public ultimately rejected the project. A success that we have achieved as a team, she notes.

A piece of Hotel History

Teamwork and Resilience

Ms. weber emphasizes the importance of collaboration. I always say ‘we’ because I work with a great team. we can only move something together. This team spirit provides a shield against the challenges inherent in activism.

Facing opposition is part of her daily life. I have a lot of enemies – that’s the way it is when you stand for something. From political adversaries to seal hunters who issued threats in Canada, she has learned to protect herself. I have my tank and luckily the support is greater than hatred.

Standing Alone

In 2024, Vera Weber found her foundation standing virtually alone in opposition to the Electricity Act, despite its aim to promote renewable energies. she could not rely on the support of major environmental organizations. Ultimately, the public voted in favor of the new law.

Her childhood was marked by a sense of being an outsider. Few attended her ninth birthday party, as the “Weber” name was too controversial for many parents. Today I take it with humor, but at that time it was painful. Her parents profoundly influenced her, with her mother instilling peace and perfection, and her father, passion and creativity.

A Life of Dedication

Vera Weber has established her own distinct identity, achieving notable victories in conservation and advocacy. She acknowledges that her accomplishments require unwavering dedication. My day has 25 hours and the week eight days. Leisure time is rare, and she has chosen not to have children. I never had the desire to have children, she states. Friendships are cherished, with those who understand her limited time receiving her full support in return.

Thanks to fantasy books, I can immerse yourself in another world-in a better one.

She dreams of finding peace, perhaps spending months in a Mexican jungle, simply enjoying nature. Until then, she remains committed to her activism. When exhaustion sets in,I fall asleep immediately, she says with a smile. Occasionally, she finds solace in the pages of fantasy literature. I love this kind of books, thanks to them I can immerse yourself in another world – in a slightly better one.

FAQ: vera Weber and Her Work

• What is Vera Weber known for? She is known for her environmental and animal rights activism, as well as managing the Grandhotel Giessbach.
• What foundation does she lead? She is the president of the Fondation franz Weber.
• What is her connection to the Grandhotel Giessbach? Her parents saved it from demolition, and she currently manages the hotel.
• What motivates her activism? A strong conviction and anger about injustice.