The first so-called "tourists" passed through the impoverished hamlet on their way from Lauterbrunnen over Wengeneralp and Kleine Scheidegg to Grindelwald. The flow of visitors increased to such an extent, that by 1859 the first simple guest house was opened in Innerwengen. The popularity of this guest house was such, that it convinced the local Wengener's this was the start of an era that would promise an improved standard of living for all the valley inhabitants.
In the 1880's came the construction of the Wengernalp Mountain Railway - the most up-to-date form of transport of the day. This then laid the path open for the development of Wengen as an established summer resort. In the 20 years that followed, more than 30 hotels, totaling over 2000 beds, were constructed.The flourishing hotel industry ensured that in 1910/11 the Wengernalp Railway continued to operate throughout the winter months - thereby laying the foundation stone for the first winter season in Wengen.This futuristic development was unfortunately interrupted by the outbreak of the First World War. However, the industry was able to recover relatively quickly from this temporary set-back during the Inter-war years. Already then, private individuals were beginning to rent out rooms and apartments in their houses.