A stagnant winter season for Swiss tourism

Switzerland is still feeling the effects of the strong franc, with declines in the number of overnight stays anticipated – particularly in alpine resort areas. According to the Swiss Economic Institute (KOF) at the federal technology institute ETH Zurich, a 1.4% drop is expected in holiday visitors to alpine regions this winter season. The KOF estimates that over the last few years, Swiss winter sport destinations have lost market share compared with France and Austria, because they were no longer price competitive. Of the main Swiss winter sport destinations of Valais, Graubünden, the Bernese Oberland and central Switzerland, only the latter is reported to have maintained stable numbers of tourists. In a survey conducted in September by the Swiss Hotel Association, 53% of hoteliers in rural alpine regions reported fewer reservations compared with the previous year. Twenty percent of respondents, notably in rural or alpine regions, said they may lower their prices ...