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The coronavirus has killed hotels in Switzerland. There were no closings, but it was of little use to them: in the past two months, an unprecedented wave of cancellations has affected the hotel industry.
From March to June, the Swiss tourism marketing organization anticipates a loss in sales of 8.7 billion Swiss francs. “It will be a terrible year, the worst year ever,” says director Martin Nydegger (49). But the main tourist also knows: «Self-pity and regrets do not contribute anything. We have to save what can be saved! »
The Federal Council supports holidays in Switzerland
Support comes from above: “We can all have a good summer in our country,” Federal President Simonetta Sommaruga (59) told SRF on Monday. And in the special session of the Parliament, the federal councilor Ueli Maurer (69) specified: «Go on vacation to Switzerland! Spend the money here! »
Home vacation as a patriotic duty? More than half of all Swiss want to travel despite Corona. But not everyone thinks of Switzerland, as a representative survey conducted by the Marketagent.com institute in the second half of April shows. It is exclusively available at SonntagsBlick.
A third of all Swiss go abroad, only a quarter plan a vacation at home, although nine out of ten respondents say Corona plays a role in choosing a travel destination. A fifth does not go on vacation, every tenth because Corona has little cash.
Local contest
There is no doubt: the Swiss tourism industry has to do something if it wants to survive the summer. Millions of foreign guests are missing and fierce competition has erupted for locals. Valais was the first canton to advance: “Chum as dü bisch” is the name of the campaign with which Damian Constantin (53), Director of Wallis Promotion, has been calling Mr. and Mrs. Swiss to their mountain canton since the beginning of May.
“Now is the time when people plan their vacations,” explains Constantin. The campaign is constantly expanding and lasts until the fall; 2.4 million francs are available. Are your own compatriots suddenly so interesting out of sheer necessity? Constantin dismisses: “In Valais, the Swiss have always been the most important guests. 53 percent of all overnight stays are counted ».
Make Switzerland tasty
But how do you make local offerings tasty for travelers who prefer to travel to Egypt or Turkey? “By suggesting something they already know about their vacation abroad,” says Paul-Marc Julen (39). The hotelier offers everything included in Zermatt VS: collection service with mobile phones, accommodation, food and drink, mountain bikes, use of the Zermatt golf course: Julen’s offer includes everything. More than 300 guests have already booked.
Julen: “There is a spirit of optimism.” His family has welcomed guests in Zermatt since 1910: at three hotels and a restaurant. They open on Mondays. “It was extremely important that we have a date,” says Julen. “This sign had a huge impact, also on the guests who had been waiting for him when planning his vacation.”
Does the concept of protection deter?
Barbara Gätzi (37) sees it the same way. “People have had enough of their home,” says the Capricorn operator at Wergenstein GR. “People want to go out!” Gätzi has been serving in the center of the village in Schamserberg at an altitude of 1,500 meters for nine years. Its nine employees still work for a short time, but Gätzi starts again on the driveway. Don’t you fear that guests will stay away and maybe even discourage the strict concept of protection? ‘Better than nothing at all. We have to give an example! »
Gätzi accommodates a maximum of 30 guests, half of the complete portfolio. Before that, nine out of ten Capricorn visitors were from Switzerland. “And they will return, we already have many reservations for June and July.” It doesn’t go down with prices. Instead, we offer flexibility. Our guests can cancel reservations for free. »
“Marketing career”
As determined as the landlady is, there is a massive discount battle in the fight for the Swiss guests. “The competition is huge,” confirms Martin Vincenz (57), director of Graubünden Ferien. “It will be a marketing career. But we do not participate in a discount battle, that would be fatal. Now we need good deals that bring the spirit of the time. “In the past few weeks, people have almost reached the ceiling. Now they want to have space and move. “In the campaign that Graubünden Ferien is about to start, the Ibex cult Gian and Giachen present to the public the vastness of the canton.
“The alpine regions are ahead of the competition in Switzerland,” says Christian Laesser (57), a professor of tourism at the University of St. Gallen. It doesn’t necessarily take many more nights in the mountains. Laesser: “It is very possible that day trips will increase in the first place.”
Build trust and offer information
Parliament has approved $ 40 million for tourism, money for a three-year advertising campaign, especially in Switzerland. “We want to build trust and provide information among local guests,” says Switzerland’s director of tourism, Nydegger. Eric Jakob (58), head of tourism at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, is convinced: “The end of the blockade contributes significantly to takeoff. How well the restrictions work is open. But the Federal Council will do everything possible to allow holidays in Switzerland. “
An essential question remains: what happens if the number of cases increases again? What if the dreaded second wave arrives? “That would be a disaster,” says mountain farmer Barbara Gätzi.
And yet: “The country cannot sit still for a year now. Either we all show our responsibility, or we pay! »
Are you planning a vacation at home? At swisshotels.com you will find hotels of all categories throughout Switzerland. Don’t just pay attention to the price, also compare the services that support it. Book well in advance for peak holiday hours. For bargain hunters: There are attractive offers especially for the low season. Has your trip abroad been canceled and are you offered a new reservation or coupons? “You don’t have to accept that,” says Vito Roberto, a professor of private law at the University of St. Gallen. “On the contrary, I advise caution, especially when it comes to coupons. There are many open questions. Once a coupon has been accepted, there is no going back.
