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The Swiss tourism industry is facing a harsh winter. Despite many precautions to increase security in times of the corona pandemic, reserves remain low.
Due to the dynamic development of the pandemic, planning security for local tourism businesses in the run-up to the winter season is low. But a “definitely unforgettable winter is coming,” Martin Nydegger, director of the Swiss Tourism Association, said at a news conference Monday. The current situation requires a high degree of flexibility on the part of all those involved.
Pretty grim forecasts
The current state of reserves for the winter season leaves little hope at the moment. At the end of October, bookings for the Christmas holidays in mountainous regions fell 19 percent compared to the previous year, as a survey by the association shows. For sports holidays, which are a little further apart, there were even 28% fewer bookings than the previous year.
Forecasts made by ETH Zurich’s economic research institute also paint a grim picture. For the entire winter season in the mountains, KOF expects a nearly 22 percent decrease in overnight stays compared to the last “regular” season 2018/19. Demand from other European countries should be cut in half due to travel restrictions and quarantine regulations and the foreign market will likely almost completely disappear.
Hopes in the domestic market
On the other hand, there are reasons for hope in the domestic market. KOF experts expect the Swiss to spend more nights in local hotels than in a normal winter. Specifically, the number of overnight stays should follow the positive trends of the summer and increase by 9 percent.
There is also the possibility that some restrictions in nearby foreign markets for travel to Switzerland will be relaxed before Christmas. “Our operations are equipped for this as well,” Nydegger says. Switzerland Tourism’s campaigns would also be agile and adapted to the respective framework conditions.
Innovations in demand
The industry association sees the biggest challenge this winter in regulating the flow of visitors so that comprehensive protection concepts can be met. “Several destinations offer web-based gondola reservations or rely on restaurants with ski car access,” said Switzerland’s Director of Tourism. Alternatives to après-ski are also being examined.
In this particular “special winter”, the exchange between the different destinations is immensely important, added Berno Stoffel, Director of Swiss Cableways, at the conference. You can also benefit from the experience gained in the summer season.
