[ad_1]
Holidays in the Swiss mountains in the days of Corona? Who does that to himself when elevators don’t work or restaurants are closed? BLICK asked the three big Swiss winter tourism regions, Valais, Bern and Graubünden. And he asked Hotelleriesuisse for an evaluation.
Not good for hotels. “The forecasts for the winter season and the first quarter of 2021 are alarming. All areas forecast bad business ”, says Andreas Züllig (61), Chairman of Gastrosusisse and owner of the Hotel Schweizerhof in Lenzerheide GR to SEE.
“Massively worse season”
According to the study, the urban hotel industry in particular is pessimistic about the next few months. For example, 95 percent of municipal companies expect a worse course for their business. But optimism is also low in rural areas (89 percent). “Most alpine areas are also expecting a much worse season, but they are more positive compared to the other regions,” says Züllig.
Poor expectations also have an impact on hotel room prices. 55 percent of hoteliers do not change their prices. 32 percent want to lower tariffs. Hotels in the mountains expect an occupancy rate of 35 percent for January. In February at least 46 percent. Mountain hotel operators shouldn’t make that much money.
The situation is different with vacation apartment owners. The Berlin communications department of US accommodation broker Airbnb declined to answer BLICK’s questions. E-Domizil is significantly more talkative. “We are very satisfied with the current state of the reserves,” says spokeswoman Myriam Schweizer. For December, the vacation apartment rental platform expects a 95 percent increase. In January it should still be 85 percent.
No wave of cancellations
“Yes, our clients still want to go to the mountains,” he says. Despite the uncertainties about Corona. «There was no wave of cancellations. For most clients, a temporary home in a vacation home is still the safest form of accommodation, ”says Schweizer. During the festive season, Swiss winter sports enthusiasts are drawn to holiday apartments in Graubünden (plus 81 percent), the Bernese Oberland (plus 143 percent) and Valais (plus 71 percent). .
So it’s no wonder that you can still find a hotel room in Graubünden on short notice. It’s also clear: this season, Swiss guests will account for 90 percent. It is usually only 60 percent. Important: For day trips to Graubünden, it is essential to note that day tickets for the ski areas are limited.
“Most of the Graubünden destinations for Christmas and New Years are below the previous year, especially due to the lack of foreign guests,” says Luzi Bürki from Graubünden Ferien. Also, the guests wait. “Currently, there are hardly any reservations or inquiries for the period since the beginning of January.” Bürki speaks of a “mediocre reserve situation” until after the New Year.
10 percent fewer guests in Valais
And in Valais? There, 10 percent fewer bookings are expected than in the previous year. But mainly Swiss guests come. The Valais recorded a sharp increase in reserves in the cantons of Geneva and Vaud, as well as in the German-speaking metropolitan areas of Zurich, Bern and Basel-Stadt. Hart: Bookings from Europe fell 38 percent. If you are still looking for accommodation on short notice, you should find it.
People are in a good mood in the Bernese Oberland. “Despite being required to wear a mask, in good weather many guests are still drawn to the Bernese Oberland,” says spokeswoman Cornalia Etter. In classic ski destinations, the demand for accommodation is much higher than in lesser known ones. “Smaller destinations are catching up thanks to Covid-19. Holiday apartments in particular are very well booked, ”he says. In hotels you will find a room spontaneously.
