swiss tourism in figures 2017 structure and industry data · at a glance 4 27 993 km public...

swiss tourism in figures 2017 structure and industry dataPartnershiP. Politics. quality.

edited byswiss tourism Federation (stF)

in cooperation withGastrosuisse | Public transport association | swiss cableways | swiss Federal statistical office (sFso) | swiss hiking trail Federation |switzerland tourism (st) | switzerlandMobility

imprintProduction: Béatrice herrmann, stF | Photo: alina trofimova | Print: länggass druck aG, 3000 Bern

the brochure contains the latest figures available at the time of printing. it is also obtainable on www.stv-fst.ch/stiz. Bern, July 2018

3

contents

at a glance 4

legal bases 5

tourist regions 7

tourism – an important sector of the economy 8

travel behaviour of the swiss resident population 14

accommodation sector 16

hotel and restaurant industry 29

tourism infrastructure 34

formal education 47

international 49

Quality promotion 51

tourism associations and institutions 55

at a glance

4

27 993 km public transportation network25 503 train stations and stops

CHF 46.7 billion 1total revenue generated by Swiss tourism

165 675 full-time equivalents 1

CHF 16.9 billion 1gross value added

CHF 16.0 billion 2revenue from foreign tourists in Switzerland

37 392 740 hotel overnight staysaverage stay = 2.0 nights

4878 hotels and health establishments275 203 hotel beds

One of the largest export industries in Switzerland4.4 % of export revenue

29 022 restaurants8009 trainees

54 911 905 air passengers467 263 flights

CHF 16.1 billion 2outlays by Swiss tourists abroad

1 swiss Federal statistical office, annual indicators of the tourism satellite account tsa 2016 (first estimate)2 swiss Federal statistical office, tourism Balance of Payments 2017sources: swiss Federal statistical office, Public transport association, Federal office of civil aviation, Gastrosuisse

5

marketing switzerland as a tourist destination

Federal Act on Switzerland Tourism of 21 December 1955, Status as of 1 August 2008 (SR 935.21)

promotion of innovation, cooperation and knowledge creation in tourism

Federal Act on the Promotion of Innovation, Cooperation and Knowledge Creation in Tourism

of 30 September 2011, Status as of 1 January 2017 (SR 935.22)

promotion of the hotel industry

Federal Act on the Promotion of the Hotel Industry of 20 June 2003,

Status as of 1 January 2013 (SR 935.12)

regional policy

Federal Act on Regional Policy of 6 October 2006, Status as of 1 January 2013 (SR 901.0)

casinos

Federal Act on Gambling and Gambling Casinos of 18 December 1998,

Status as of 27 December 2006 (SR 935.52)

temporary special rate for accommodation services

Federal Act on Value Added Tax of 12 June 2009, Status as of 1 January 2018 (SR 641.20)

tourism statistics

Ordinance on the Conduct of Federal Statistical Surveys of 30 June 1993,

Status as of 1 March 2018 (SR 431.012.1)

nature parks

Federal Act on the Protection of Nature and Cultural Heritage of 1 July 1966,

Status as of 1 January 2017 (SR 451)

cablecars and chairlifts

Federal Act on Cableways for Passenger Transport of 23 June 2006, Status as of 1 January 2018

(SR 743.01)

source: terMdat, terminology database of the swiss Federal administration

legal basesnational tourism laws

cantonal tourism laws

Canton Internet Law

aargau www.ag.ch location development act of 1 January 2010

appenzell innerrhoden www.ai.ch Promotion of tourism act of 25 april 1999

appenzell ausserrhoden www.ar.ch tourism act of 13 June 2016

Basel-landschaft www.bl.ch tourism act of 19 June 2003

Basel-stadt www.bs.ch location development act of 29 June 2006

Bern www.be.ch tourism development act of 1 May 2018

Fribourg www.fr.ch tourism act of 13 october 2005

Geneva www.ge.ch tourism act of 24 June 1993

Glarus www.gl.ch tourism development act of 6 May 2007

Graubünden www.gr.ch economic development act of 27 august 2015

Jura www.jura.ch tourism act of 31 May 1990

lucerne www.lu.ch tourism act of 30 January 1996

neuchâtel www.ne.ch law to support the development of tourism (ltour) of 18 February 2014

nidwalden www.nw.ch Promotion of tourism act of 16 december 2015

obwalden www.ow.ch tourism act of 3 May 2012

st. Gallen www.sg.ch tourism act of 26 november 1995

schaffhausen www.sh.ch Promotion of tourism act of 15 May 2017

solothurn www.so.ch economic and labour law (WaG) of 8 March 2015

schwyz www.sz.ch law on economic development of 27 november 1986

thurgau www.tg.ch law on actions against unemployment and for location development

of 28 november 1988

ticino www.ti.ch tourism act of 25 June 2014

uri www.ur.ch tourism Promotion act of 23 september 2012

Vaud www.vd.ch Promotion of tourism act of 12 June 2007

Valais www.vs.ch tourism act of 9 February 1996

Zug www.zg.ch tourism act of 27 March 2003

Zurich www.zh.ch no tourism law

6 leGal Bases

7

tourist regions

1 graubünden: canton of Graubünden

2 eastern switzerland: cantons of Glarus, appenzell ausserrhoden, appenzell innerrhoden, thurgau, schaffhausen (excluding

parts of the district of schaffhausen) and canton st. Gallen (excluding parts of the district of see-Gaster)

3 zurich region: cantons of Zurich and Zug; canton of aargau: commune of Baden; canton of schwyz: district of höfe and part

of district of March; canton of st. Gallen: part of see-Gaster district; canton of schaffhausen: part of district of schaffhausen

4 lucerne / lake lucerne: cantons of lucerne, uri, obwalden and nidwalden; canton of schwyz (excluding the district of höfe

and parts of the district of March)

5 basel region: cantons of Basel-stadt and Basel-landschaft; canton of solothurn: districts dorneck and thierstein

6 bern region: canton of Bern: districts of emmental, oberaargau, Bern-Mittelland, Frutigen-niedersimmental,

interlaken-oberhasli, obersimmental-saanen and thun

8 Jura & three-lakes: cantons of neuchâtel and Jura; canton of Bern: districts of Bernese Jura, Biel / Bienne and of seeland;

canton of solothurn: districts of solothurn, Bucheggberg, lebern, thal and Wasseramt

9 lake geneva (vaud): canton of Vaud

10 geneva: canton of Geneva

11 valais: canton of Valais

12 ticino: canton of ticino

13 fribourg region: canton of Fribourg

14 aargau region: canton of aargau (without commune Baden); canton of solothurn: districts of olten, Gösgen and Gäu

© swiss Federal statistical office, themaKart as of 2017

8

tourism – an important sector of the economy

Domestic and international tourism are important factors in the Swiss economy. Of a total revenue of

CHF 46.7 billion in 2016, 20.3 billion or almost 43.5 % came from tourist accommodation, meals and

passenger transportation. These three tourism products are responsible for 61.7 % of the total value

added from tourism.

tourism – an invisible export

The expenditure of foreign guests in Switzerland has the same effect on the Swiss balance of payments

as the export of goods and services. In 2016, approximately 4.4 % of Switzerland’s export revenue

(goods without nonmonetary gold and services) come from tourism. 1

export revenue

Industry2017

CHF bn2016

CHF bn2015

CHF bn2014

CHF bn2013

CHF bn

Pharmaceutical and chemical industry 98.6 94.3 84.7 85.3 80.9

Metal and machine industry 61.3 58.2 57.3 60.5 60.0

Merchanting 2 25.2 24.2 24.9 26.5 23.3

Financial services 2 20.0 19.6 19.9 20.1 20.8

Watchmaking industry 19.9 19.4 21.5 22.3 21.8

tourism (tourism Balance of Payments) 16.0 15.8 15.8 16.3 15.6

1 the tourism figures in the table above are based on the tourism Balance of Payments. For system-related reasons, however, they differ slightly from the values in the tourism satellite account. the tourism Balance of Payments, for instance, also reports expenditure by for-eign cross-border commuters and short-stay residents, foreign students at swiss private schools and foreign students at swiss colleges and universities, which are not included in the tourism satellite account. on the other hand, the tourism Balance of Payments does not include purchases of tickets (air travel and international rail tickets) from swiss transportation enterprises made by foreign visitors abroad.

2 data from the data portal of the swiss national Bank: data.snb.ch (access on 14 June 2018). sources: swiss Federal statistical office, swiss national Bank

9 tourisM – an iMPortant sector oF the econoMy

Switzerland’s income and expenditures related to travel are reflected in the Tourism Balance of Pay-

ments. On the assets side, it reports Switzerland’s income from travel by foreign visitors in Switzer-

land, and on the liabilities side, it shows expenditure by the resident Swiss population while abroad.

For system-related reasons, the figures in the Tourism Balance of Payments differ slightly from the

values in the Tourism Satellite Account. See footnote 1 on the previous page regarding this point.

The largest proportion of income comes from trips with overnight stays by foreign visitors. Of this

income, revenue from clients of accommodation establishments is largely dominant over revenue

from educational and hospital stays.

The Tourism Balance of Payments is based on numerous data sources including surveys of visitors

and households as well as tourism accommodation statistics.

tourism balance of payments

Revenue / Expenditure in billion CHFRevenue from foreign tourists

2017 2 2016 1 2015 1Expenditure of Swiss tourists abroad

2017 2 2016 1 2015 1

tourism, including overnight stays 10.6 10.4 10.5 12.0 11.8 11.2

Visitors staying in lodging facilities and

with relatives7.6 7.4 7.4

educational & medical stays 3.0 3.0 3.1

excursionists, transit visitors, other tourism 2.8 2.8 2.8 4.1 4.2 4.4

consumption expenditure of border workers

incl. short-term residents (< 4 months)2.6 2.6 2.5

total 16.0 15.8 15.8 16.1 16.1 15.7

1 revised figures2 Provisional figuressource: swiss Federal statistical office, tourism Balance of Payments

tourism balance of paymentslarGest share oF incoMe FroM traVel With oVerniGht stays


the tourism satellite account

increase in oVerall tourisM deMand

Overall tourism demand rose considerably in 2016 (+2.1 %) after firstly falling in the previous year

(2015: −1.1 %). Thus a slight growth was observed for most products in 2016, leading to an increase in

the overall tourism demand to a total of CHF 46.760 billion. The increase in accommodation services

(+0.2 %) and food and beverage serving services (+0.2 %) remained relatively slight. The increase among

passenger transport services was 0.4 % and among tourism-connected products 0.9 %. The decrease of

non-tourism-specific products amounted to −3.2 %.

shares of the tourism industry in switzerland

0 % 5 % 10% 15% 20% 25%

Non-tourism-specific products

Tourism-connected services

Miscellaneous tourism services

Recreation andother entertainment services

Cultural services

Travel agency, tour operator andtourist guide services

Passenger transport services

Food and beverage serving services

Accomodation services

2016 120152014

1 First estimatesource: swiss Federal statistical office, annual indicators of the tourism satellite account

the goal of the tourism satellite account is to provide answers on the status and development of tourism in switzerland from an economic perspective. three core variables are surveyed: tourism overall demand (i.e. total tourism consumption), gross value added by tourism and tourism employment. the main challenge in capturing the statistics of tourism is that economic statistics are generally supply-oriented. the noGa division in different industries is based on the goods and services they mainly produce. By contrast, tourism as a cross-sectional sector includes several of these supply-side defined industries like accommodation, restaurant business, transport providers, travel agencies and tour operators to varying degrees. as such, restaurant services are not generally touristic but only insofar as they are actually consumed by tourists. Generally speaking, a good only becomes touristic when being consumed by tourists. tourism is hence defined by the demand side. the tourism satellite account represents the basic synthesising statistic to measure these economic impacts of tourism.


the tourism satellite accountincrease oF the Gross Value added

In 2016, the total gross value added by tourism increased (+2.2 %). Overall, this amounted to CHF

16.864 billion. In this way, almost all products registered a positive increase in gross value added.

Non-tourism-specific products, however, registered a decrease of 1.3 %. Growth for accommodation

services was 0.8 %, for food and beverage serving services 0.2 % and for passenger transport services

0.6 %. Growth for tourism-connected products was 1.1 %.

share of tourism gross value added according to products

0 % 5 % 10% 15% 20% 25%




Recreation andother entertainment services

Cultural services

Travel agency, tour operator andtravel guide services




2016 120152014



the tourism satellite accountsliGht increase in tourisM eMPloyMent

Although a sharp increase was registered for both the overall tourism demand and the gross value

added, tourism employment in full-time equivalents increased by only 0.5 % in 2016 with 165 675 full-

time equivalents. A rise was seen for the products accommodation services (+0.8 %), passenger trans-

port services (+0.4 %) and tourism-connected products (+1.3 %). In contrast, employment in food and

beverage serving services fell very slightly (−0.1 %). A decrease was observed for non-tourism-specific

products (−1.1 %).

tourism employment rate according to products (in Full-tiMe equiValents)

0 10 000 20 000 30 000 40 000




Recreation andother entertrainment services

Cultural services

Travel agency, tour operator andtourist guide services




2016 120152014



full-time eQuivalents according to economic sectors

(in 1000, annual aVeraGe)

2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012

service industry total 2861.3 2844.5 2831.6 2800.4 2773.0 2722.9

Men 1545.6 1536.5 1532.2 1519.8 1508.3 1483.0

Women 1315.7 1308.0 1299.4 1280.6 1264.6 1239.9

accommodation total 64.8 64.3 63.8 65.4 65.9 66.2

Men 31.1 30.6 29.8 30.4 30.6 30.6

Women 33.8 33.8 34.0 35.0 35.3 35.6

Food and beverage total 118.9 119.5 119.9 120.8 119.3 121.2service activities

Men 59.7 58.2 58.7 59.9 59.3 59.3

Women 59.2 61.4 61.2 60.9 60.0 61.9

land transport and total 107.0 105.8 105.8 104.9 104.1 102.1transport via pipelines

Men 92.7 91.6 91.3 90.6 90.0 88.3

Women 14.2 14.1 14.6 14.3 14.1 13.8

Water transport and total 13.6 14.1 13.8 14.0 14.0 13.2air transport

Men 8.0 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.5 8.0

Women 5.6 5.7 5.4 5.4 5.5 5.2

Jobs statistics: accommodation and food service activities (in 1000)

20174th quarter

20173rd quarter

20172nd quarter

20171st quarter

20164th quarter

Full-time jobs (90 % and over) 137.9 135.4 136.0 135.3 137.4

Men 79.3 77.0 77.9 78.9 77.8

Women 58.6 58.4 58.0 56.4 59.6

Part-time jobs i (50 – 89 %) 50.5 50.3 49.9 49.1 49.7

Part-time jobs ii (15 – 49 %) 46.8 46.1 42.7 41.3 41.8

Part-time jobs iii (< 15 %) 22.5 22.1 22.2 20.9 24.1

total number of jobs (overall) 257.8 254.0 250.8 246.6 252.9

Men 111.1 109.2 106.5 108.2 109.5

Women 146.6 144.8 144.3 138.4 143.5

source: swiss Federal statistical office, employment statistic

employment statistictransPort, accoMModation and Food serVice actiVities

14

In 2016, 91 % of the Swiss resident population undertook at least one trip with one or more overnight

stays away from home. A total of 22.4 million trips were made, of which 7.5 million were within Swit-

zerland. On average 3.0 trips were made per person, of which 1.0 had a domestic destination.

With 2.1 trips per person, persons aged 65 and more travelled less often than other age categories.

People living in the German-speaking part of Switzerland undertook 3.0 trips, those from the French-

speaking part 2.9 and the Italian-speaking population 2.6.

number of trips (in 1000)

2016 2015 2014 2013 2012

trips with overnight stays 22 407 22 755 21 159 22 217 20 341

day trips 76 920 79 660 75 780 76 447 71 651

In addition to trips with overnight stays, data on day trips are also collected. The Swiss resident popu-

lation undertook a total of 76.9 million day trips in 2016, corresponding to an average of 10.2 trips per

person. People living in the German-speaking part of Switzerland undertook 11.3 day trips, whereas

one from the French- or Italian-speaking population made 7.8 and 5.2 trips per year respectively.

number of trips (Per Person)

2016 2015 2014 2013 2012

trips with overnight stays 3.0 3.1 2.9 3.0 2.8

day trips 10.2 10.7 10.3 10.5 9.9

1 swiss resident population aged 6 or over: 7 536 990 personssource: swiss Federal statistical office, travel behaviour 2016

travel behaviour of the swiss resident population

15 traVel BehaViour oF the sWiss resident PoPulation

travel destinations

Among the trips with overnight stays recorded in 2016, 33 % had a Swiss destination. 38 % of trips led to

countries that border Switzerland, namely Germany (13 %), Italy (12 %) and France (9 %). Finally, 21 %

of trips had a destination in other European countries and 8 % outside Europe.

number of trips with overnight stays by destination (in 1000)

2016 2015 2014 2013 2012

switzerland 7 465 7 830 7 732 8 648 7 417

Germany 2 980 2 939 2 639 2 952 3 053

austria 960 1 091 1 019 981 949

italy 2 730 2 808 2 557 1 951 2 091

France 1 1 913 2 244 2 003 2 247 2 042

southeast europe 2 948 981 972 933 764

southwest europe 3 1 797 1 434 1 497 1 310 1 084

rest of europe 1 925 1 939 1 283 1 616 1 396

rest of the world 1 689 1 486 1 454 1 575 1 544

unknown – 3 3 4 –

total 22 407 22 755 21 159 22 217 20 341

1 including overseas departments and Monaco2 Greece, turkey, croatia, Bosnia and herzegovina, serbia, albania, slovenia, Montenegro, Kosovo, romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia3 spain, Portugal, andorra, Gibraltar

duration and purpose of travel

Trips with a destination abroad lasted longer than trips within Switzerland. In 2016, trips of four or

more overnight stays represented 68 % of the outbound and only 36 % of the inbound trips. On the oth-

er hand, trips with only one overnight stay accounted for 29 % of domestic and 8 % of trips abroad. In

2016, the main reasons for trips were, as in the previous year, holidays and recreation. They accounted

for 63 % of trips, and 70 % of these had a foreign destination. In second place came trips for the purpose

of visiting family and friends (22 %). Business trips accounted for 6 % of trips.

source: swiss Federal statistical office, travel behaviour 2016

16

Swiss tourism statistics break accommodation options down into hotel accommodation and supple-

mentary accommodation.

hotel accommodation

Hotels:Hotels, boarding houses, guesthouses, motels.

Health establishments:Sanatoria which are not subsidised by the canton and convalescent homes with medical manage-

ment or support, alpine health establishments, altitude clinics, rheumatic clinics, public spas.

supplementary accommodation

Commercially run holiday homes:These are properties which are offered for rental to third parties. They exclude properties which are

solely occupied by the owners or long-term tenants, or their family members.

Campsites:Demarcated sites which are accessible to everyone for the temporary parking of caravans and motor

homes in which they travel, and for the temporary erection of tents.

Collective accommodation:Dormitories for tourists and groups, club and association houses, mountain refuges and huts.

Youth hostels:Switzerland’s official youth hostels.

Agritourism:Agritourism or Farm Holidays refers to tourist offers in the country which, generally speaking, are or-

ganised by farmers themselves and represent an additional source of income. The three most popular

offers in Switzerland are: ‘Swiss Holiday Farms’, ‘Sleep in Straw’ and ‘tourisme-rural.ch’ (combined in

the ‘Agritourism Switzerland’ umbrella organisation since June 2011).

Bed & Breakfast:Bed & Breakfast stands for all kinds of accommodation where a bed and a breakfast are offered.

Accommodation statistics (HESTA) replace the statistics for hotels and health establishments which

date back to 1934 but which were discontinued in 2003 due to budget restrictions. In methodological

terms, these figures cannot be compared to the old statistics; HESTA has been in operation since

1st January 2005.

sources: swiss Federal statistical office, Parahotellerie switzerland

accommodation sectoroverview

17

In 2017, the Swiss hotel industry recorded a total of 37.4 million overnight stays, which was 5.2 %

higher than in the previous year. Swiss demand amounted to 16.9 million overnight stays, which cor-

responds to an increase of 4.2 % compared with 2016. Foreign guests generated 20.5 million overnight

stays, i.e. an increase of 6.1 %. Germany accounted for the strongest foreign demand with 3.7 million

overnight stays (+1.1 % compared with 2016), followed by the United States with 2.0 million overnight

stays (+11.5 %) and the United Kingdom with 1.6 million (−1.1 %). In terms of tourist regions, the Zu-

rich Region recorded the highest number of overnight stays in 2017 with 6.0 million units (+6.0 %).

It was followed by Bern Region with 5.1 million overnight stays (+8.2 %) and Graubünden with 4.9

million overnight stays (+4.9 %). In 2017, visitors stayed an average of 2.0 nights in Switzerland. For

guests from within Switzerland the average length of stay was 2.0 nights while for those from abroad

it was 2.1 nights. Among the tourist regions, Graubünden recorded the longest average stay with 2.7

nights.

development of overnight stays 2017

Monthly oVerniGht stays and chanGe in % coMPared to the saMe Period oF 2016

Overnight staysTotal

Change in %

Overnight stays Foreigners

Change in %

Overnight staysSwiss

Change in %

January 2 709 743 5.2 1 374 162 5.2 1 335 581 5.3

February 3 049 114 −1.2 1 461 830 − 2.3 1 587 284 − 0.1

March 3 154 642 − 0.4 1 650 792 − 0.7 1 503 850 0.0

april 2 546 968 12.3 1 407 088 12.5 1 139 880 12.0

May 2 791 766 4.9 1 652 485 6.4 1 139 281 2.9

June 3 430 831 9.8 2 014 409 9.6 1 416 422 10.0

July 4 289 083 5.4 2 449 200 7.3 1 839 883 2.9

august 4 265 016 4.1 2 512 695 6.3 1 752 321 1.1

september 3 569 618 5.2 1 955 660 6.8 1 613 958 3.3

october 2 980 995 7.8 1 507 376 9.0 1 473 619 6.7

november 1 973 338 5.0 1 057 874 5.5 915 464 4.5

december 2 631 626 7.4 1 429 294 8.4 1 202 332 6.3

entire year 37 392 740 5.2 20 472 865 6.1 16 919 875 4.2

source: swiss Federal statistical office, statistics on tourist accommodation

hotel accommodationhotels and health establishments

18 accoMModation sector

overnight stays by country of residence of visitors

Country of residence of visitors Calendar year 2017Winter season 2016 / 2017

(November to April)Summer season 2017

(May to October)

total 37 392 740 15 788 946 21 327 309

switzerland 16 919 875 7 573 558 9 235 484

Foreign countries 20 472 865 8 215 388 12 091 825

europe total (excl. switzerland) 11 871 346 5 528 508 6 273 252

Germany 3 745 134 1 707 384 2 024 976

united Kingdom 1 1 615 669 764 406 847 270

France 1 244 402 604 652 639 743

italy 927 346 440 732 471 322

netherlands 605 835 267 749 334 690

Belgium 587 573 294 792 289 933

nordic countries 2 477 497 228 830 246 997

spain 454 477 182 560 265 049

austria 405 041 160 187 245 076

russia 352 172 192 520 156 040

other countries europe 1 456 200 684 696 752 156

america total 2 794 990 940 304 1 827 399

united states 2 046 380 651 155 1 377 317

canada 247 764 85 556 159 958

Brazil 244 854 109 589 131 572

other countries america 255 992 94 004 158 552

asia total 5 169 870 1 507 868 3 602 995

china (incl. hong Kong) 1 430 702 457 457 950 668

Gulf states 3 919 968 219 474 699 153

india 739 185 150 286 587 212

republic of Korea 457 212 140 173 307 101

Japan 408 258 86 393 317 440

other countries asia 1 214 545 454 085 741 421

africa total 271 946 120 528 147 516

australia, new zealand, oceania total 364 713 118 180 240 663

1 Great Britain and northern ireland2 denmark, Finland, norway, sweden, iceland3 Bahrain, qatar, Kuwait, oman, saudi arabia, united arab emiratessource: swiss Federal statistical office, statistics on tourist accommodation


hotel industry: supply and demand

cantons

Capacity 1 Overnight stays in thousands Net occupancy rate in %Canton Rooms Beds Swiss Foreigners Total Rooms 2 Beds 3

Graubünden 18 591 38 827 2 982 1 871 4 853 47 39

Bern 16 857 32 992 2 307 2 977 5 284 55 47

Zurich 15 186 26 517 1 510 3 875 5 386 67 56

Valais 13 680 28 393 2 135 1 788 3 923 49 41

Vaud 10 133 19 250 1 287 1 603 2 890 53 42

Geneva 9 367 15 308 547 2 508 3 054 66 55

ticino 7 995 15 926 1 565 890 2 455 52 44

lucerne 6 713 12 635 686 1 420 2 105 54 47

st. Gallen 4 756 9 155 592 387 979 40 31

Basel-stadt 4 425 8 834 424 904 1 328 61 42

aargau 3 329 5 657 385 331 716 45 35

obwalden 2 041 4 233 250 395 646 53 44

thurgau 1 996 3 567 267 141 408 41 32

schwyz 1 975 3 860 362 172 534 42 39

Fribourg 1 968 4 046 287 160 446 41 31

solothurn 1 754 3 240 204 210 414 47 36

Basel-land 1 289 2 355 140 142 282 44 34

Zug 1 267 2 062 127 178 305 51 41

uri 1 248 2 588 107 144 251 37 29

neuchâtel 1 144 2 140 126 105 232 41 30

nidwalden 881 1 898 123 118 241 47 37

appenzell-ausserrhoden 804 1 502 93 27 120 30 24

Jura 797 1 632 87 16 104 25 18

Glarus 706 1 541 114 17 131 31 25

schaffhausen 630 1 243 83 70 153 46 35

appenzell-innerrhoden 520 1 589 131 22 153 49 29

total 130 053 250 990 16 920 20 473 37 393 53 43

1 only open establishments (available rooms and beds)2 number of room nights in per cent of the net room capacity3 number of overnight stays in per cent of the net bed capacitysource: swiss Federal statistical office, statistics on tourist accommodation


tourist regions

Capacity 1 Overnight stays in thousands Net occupancy rate in %Tourist region Rooms Beds Swiss Foreigners Total Rooms 2 Beds 3

Graubünden 18 591 38 827 2 982 1 871 4 853 47.2 38.6

Zurich region 17 690 30 727 1 762 4 200 5 962 64.6 53.7

Bern region 15 802 31 148 2 179 2 897 5 076 55.7 47.9

Valais 13 680 28 393 2 135 1 788 3 923 49.0 41.5

lucerne / lake lucerne 12 297 24 230 1 456 2 193 3 649 50.6 43.0

lake Geneva region (Vaud) 10 133 19 250 1 287 1 603 2 890 53.0 42.1

Geneva 9 367 15 308 547 2 508 3 054 66.3 54.6

eastern switzerland 9 191 18 167 1 260 641 1 901 39.7 30.3

ticino 7 995 15 926 1 565 890 2 455 52.0 43.9

Basel region 5 857 11 423 578 1 058 1 636 56.9 39.9

Jura & three-lakes 3 872 7 294 458 298 756 40.0 29.4

aargau region 3 611 6 251 423 367 790 44.8 35.4

Fribourg region 1 968 4 046 287 160 446 41.2 31.1

total 130 053 250 990 16 920 20 473 37 393 52.9 43.0

communes

Capacity 1 Overnight stays in thousands Net occupancy rate in %Communes Rooms Beds Swiss Foreigners Total Rooms 2 Beds 3

Zurich 8 303 14 774 696 2 498 3 195 71.3 59.7

Geneva 6 414 10 465 284 1 830 2 115 66.4 55.1

Basel 4 300 8 384 418 900 1 318 62.3 43.5

davos 3 408 6 739 489 393 882 48.4 40.8

Zermatt 3 293 6 576 575 789 1 365 67.2 61.2

lucerne 3 128 6 019 297 1 046 1 343 70.6 61.6

lausanne 2 907 5 178 402 520 922 60.9 48.9

st. Moritz 2 287 4 469 243 423 666 54.8 45.9

Bern 2 000 3 433 331 422 754 70.2 60.3

opfikon 1 928 3 105 167 582 749 74.4 66.1

lugano 1 622 3 042 235 291 526 57.9 48.7

interlaken 1 599 3 210 156 635 791 74.0 68.4

Montreux 1 377 2 513 191 297 488 60.9 53.6

Grindelwald 1 367 2 988 176 394 571 64.5 58.0

other communes 86 119 170 095 12 257 9 451 21 708 46.4 37.3

total 130 053 250 990 16 920 20 473 37 393 52.9 43.0


supply in hotels and health establishments

YearSurveyed

establishmentsSurveyed

roomsSurveyed

bedsOpen

establishmentsAvailable

roomsAvailable

beds

2017 4 878 141 404 275 203 4 369 130 053 250 990

2016 4 949 140 331 271 710 4 411 128 523 246 432

2015 5 055 141 018 273 507 4 509 128 979 247 625

2014 5 129 140 722 272 636 4 554 128 638 246 449

2013 5 191 140 192 271 298 4 662 128 648 246 489

2012 5 257 140 372 271 168 4 742 129 097 246 951

demand in hotels and health establishments

Year Arrivals Overnight stays

Average duration of stay

Net occupancy rate in % (rooms) 1

Net occupancy rate in % (beds) 2

2017 18 562 061 37 392 740 2.0 52.9 43.0

2016 17 477 932 35 532 576 2.0 51.3 41.6

2015 17 429 421 35 628 476 2.0 51.5 41.7

2014 17 162 053 35 933 512 2.1 52.0 42.2

2013 16 831 177 35 623 883 2.1 51.6 41.9

2012 16 297 767 34 766 273 2.1 50.5 40.8

size of hotels and health establishments

Size of establishment Open establishments in % Arrivals Overnight stays

0 to 10 beds 603 13.8 148 300 307 352

11 to 20 beds 923 21.1 656 233 1 293 454

21 to 50 beds 1 430 32.7 3 058 680 6 328 229

51 to 100 beds 844 19.3 4 800 634 9 876 895

101 to 150 beds 270 6.2 2 920 212 5 878 716

151 to 200 beds 119 2.7 1 627 318 3 462 290

201 to 300 beds 108 2.5 2 508 326 4 917 014

301 and more beds 71 1.6 2 842 358 5 328 790

total 4 369 100.0 18 562 061 37 392 740

1 only open establishments (available rooms and beds)2 number of room nights in per cent of the net room capacity3 number of overnight stays in per cent of the net bed capacitysource: swiss Federal statistical office, statistics on tourist accommodation

22

supplementary accommodation 1

Following the suspension of the supplementary accommodation statistics in 2003, the survey of com-

mercially-run holiday homes and collective accommodation (PASTA) was reintroduced in 2016. The

survey is carried out nationally, based on a sample of representative units. For its implementation,

the new statistics have called for a new methodology to fulfil both current standards and to optimise

the quality of the results and reduce the burden on respondents. Subsequently, it is not possible to

compare directly the results of the new and old statistics.

The survey of campsites was reintroduced in 2005. Comprehensive observations are made by the

tourist accommodation statistics (HESTA).

holiday homes

Over the past year, holiday homes registered 7.3 million overnight stays. This represents a rise of 7.5 %

compared with 2016. Domestic demand totalled 4.4 million overnight stays (+6.2 % compared with

the previous year) whereas foreign demand reached a total of 2.9 million (+9.6 %) units. More than

80 % of overnight stays by foreign visitors were by visitors from Europe (2.4 million / +9.2 %). In 2017,

the Lake Geneva region was the major region that registered the highest number of overnight stays

with 3.2 million, followed by Eastern Switzerland and Espace Mittelland (with 2.1 million and 1.1

million overnight stays respectively). In 2017, the average length of stay in holiday accommodation

was 6.8 nights.

supply and demand

Major regionHoliday homes

surveyed Beds surveyed Arrivals Overnight stays Duration of stay

lake Geneva region 15 390 79 806 466 740 3 169 593 6.8

eastern switzerland 8 984 41 907 279 543 2 060 686 7.4

espace Mittelland 4 061 19 321 184 489 1 141 843 6.2

ticino 2 219 9 603 67 194 447 379 6.7

central switzerland 1 470 7 217 73 886 443 913 6.0

Zurich 238 715 6 079 34 535 5.7

northwest switzerland 152 494 4 684 21 377 4.6

total 32 514 159 063 1 082 616 7 319 326 6.8

1 non-hotel accomodationsource: Federal statistical office, supplementary accommodation statistics

23 suPPleMentary accoMModation

holiday apartments, guest rooms and bed & breakfasts by regions

Tourist region Total

Valais 87 584 175 2 932 814 7 750 721 1 196 126 35 14 420

Graubünden 61 279 195 1 817 851 5 251 750 670 111 13 9 998

Bern region 10 101 34 736 232 2 206 342 342 96 4 4 103

ticino 1 30 24 296 97 1 115 137 182 45 13 1 940

lucerne / lake lucerne 0 29 184 199 87 983 158 164 29 2 1 835

lake Geneva region (Vaud) 7 74 25 225 109 537 99 125 12 4 1 217

eastern switzerland / liechtenstein 0 2 7 151 40 433 103 85 22 2 845

Jura & three-lakes 0 6 13 65 85 360 131 99 29 3 791

Fribourg region 0 4 2 33 23 156 36 35 4 0 293

Zurich region 0 5 0 41 3 149 1 16 0 3 218

aargau region 0 0 0 25 1 44 0 12 0 1 83

Basel region 0 1 0 11 0 35 0 5 0 0 52

Geneva 0 1 0 13 0 12 0 3 0 1 30

total 166 1 116 659 6 544 2 342 19 031 2 478 2 934 474 81 35 825*

awarded certificates 2007 – 2017

0

5 000

10 000

15 000

20 000

25 000

30 000

35 000

20172016201520142013201220112010200920082007

15 195

21 663

25 117

18 705

26 500

18 102

28 247

18 027

23 227

35 825*

17 099

as of 31.12.2017* incl. holiday homes which already were classified in 2017 according to the new procedure.For more information on the classification of holiday apartments and guest rooms, please go to page 53 of this brochure.source: swiss tourism Federation

classified holiday residences


collective accommodation

Collective accommodation recorded 5.4 million overnight stays in 2017, i.e. growth of 2.4 % compared

with the previous year; 4.3 million units were by Swiss clientele (+2.3 %). Foreign visitors generated

1.1 million overnight stays, an increase of 2.9 %. Visitors from the European continent represented the

greatest number of foreign overnight stays with a total of 828 000 units (+12.8 %). At major region level,

the Lake Geneva region and Espace Mittelland recorded the greatest number of overnight stays with

1.4 million units each. This was followed by Eastern Switzerland (1.2 million). In 2017, the average

length of stay in collective accommodation was 2.6 nights.

supply and demand

Major regionEstablishments

surveyedBeds

surveyed ArrivalsOvernight

staysAverage duration

of stay

espace Mittelland 664 30 969 596 322 1 447 111 2.4

eastern switzerland 621 28 903 419 486 1 227 484 2.9

lake Geneva region 609 30 140 552 372 1 447 351 2.6

central switzerland 289 13 498 251 406 598 350 2.4

ticino 182 8 409 146 380 419 400 2.9

Zurich 74 2 902 66 888 161 509 2.4

northwest switzerland 43 1 819 40 113 96 372 2.4

total 2 482 116 640 2 072 966 5 397 578 2.6

source: Federal statistical office, supplementary accommodation statistics


youth hostels

The youth hostels in Switzerland with a network of 51 operations (same as the previous year) and 6 123

available beds (previous year 6 195) achieved a total of 785 000 overnight stays in 2017, 1.0 % fewer

than in 2016. The demand from Swiss guests increased by 0.6 % to 547 000 overnight stays. Guests from

abroad, on the other hand, spent 4.3 % fewer overnight stays in the youth hostels than in the previ-

ous year, namely 239 000. Germans with 66 000 overnight stays accounted for the highest demand from

abroad (down 0.4 % from 2016), followed by South Korean guests with 27 000 overnight stays (−6.7 %)

and guests from Great Britain with 15 000 overnight stays (−11.5 %). Once again, Graubünden was the

most visited tourism region in 2017 with 139 000 registered overnight stays (unchanged from the previ-

ous year). The Bern region reported the second highest number of overnight stays at 108 000 (−19.5 %),

followed by Zurich in third place with 107 000 overnight stays (−2.0 %). The average length of stay of the

guests to the Swiss youth hostels in 2017 was 2.0 nights. Swiss guests spent an average of 2.0 nights,

while the guests from abroad stayed 1.9 nights. Among the tourism regions, Graubünden reported the

longest average length of stay with 2.6 nights.

supply and demand

Tourist region

Surveyed establishments

Surveyedbeds

Arrivals

Overnight stays

Average duration of stay

Graubünden 9 1 191 53 818 139 471 2.6

Zurich region 8 794 59 525 107 235 1.8

Bern region 6 737 56 552 108 132 1.9

lucerne / lake lucerne 6 614 39 914 71 625 1.8

Valais 5 664 40 794 86 457 2.1

eastern switzerland 5 458 26 831 44 732 1.7

ticino 4 631 40 974 87 480 2.1

lake Geneva region (Vaud) 3 479 x x x

Basel region 2 312 x x x

Jura & three-lakes 2 159 x x x

Fribourg region 1 84 x x x

total 51 6 123 388 516 785 423 2.0

x = omitted for purposes of data protection (less than 3 open establishments)source: swiss youth hostels


campsites

In 2017, the campsites 1 recorded 3.2 million overnight stays representing an increase of 13.9 % com-

pared with the previous year. Swiss guests accounted for 2.1 million overnight stays, up 20.1 %. Foreign

guests generated 1.0 million overnight stays, up 2.8 %. German guests accounted for 401 000 overnight

stays (+6.4 % compared with 2016), which corresponds to the highest absolute result among the foreign

countries. They were followed by visitors from the Netherlands with 218 000 overnight stays (−2.4 %),

France with 92 000 (+8.1 %) and the United Kingdom with 85 000 (+6.9 %). With a total of 749 000 over-

night stays for 2017, Ticino ranks first among all tourist regions in terms of absolute overnight stays

and saw a 13.6% increase compared with the previous year. The Lake Geneva Region (Vaud) / Geneva 2

followed it with 459 000 overnight stays (+51.2 %). For Switzerland as a whole, the average length of

stay was 2.9 nights in 2017. Swiss guests spent an average of 3.1 nights on campsites while foreign

guests stayed 2.6 nights. Of all tourist regions, Ticino recorded the longest average length of stay with

3.7 nights.

supply and demand

Tourist region

Surveyed

establishments

Overnight leased

campsites

Arrivals

Overnight

stays

Average duration

of stay

Valais 60 5 648 118 285 379 144 3.2

Bern region 60 3 767 132 480 372 692 2.8

Graubünden 44 3 770 99 535 294 607 3.0

lake Geneva region (Vaud) / Geneva 2 44 3 492 148 885 458 544 3.1

lucerne / lake lucerne 40 2 365 110 830 275 984 2.5

Jura & three-lakes 37 2 414 70 928 203 622 2.9

eastern switzerland 37 1 857 69 880 172 779 2.5

ticino 33 4 967 200 729 748 901 3.7

Zurich region 23 1 301 91 788 164 807 1.8

Fribourg region 13 717 23 850 57 633 2.4

aargau region 10 341 14 750 33 642 2.3

Basel region 5 134 4 970 11 318 2.3

total 406 30 774 1 086 910 3 173 672 2.9

1 only campsites which are included in the swiss Business and enterprise register (Ber).2 two regions combined due to data protection (less than 3 open establishments in the Geneva tourist region)source: swiss Federal statistical office, statistics on tourist accommodation


agritourism

A survey of the 250 hosts showed that group accommodations achieved the most overnight stays

(73 500) and the highest sales (CHF 2 143 000) were generated by holiday apartments and alpine huts.

In 2017 a total of 181 000 overnight stays was achieved, resulting in total sales of CHF 5 309 000. The

programme ‘Swiss Holiday Farms’ continues to be very popular with guests, mainly from Switzerland

(85 %), Germany (11 %), France and the Netherlands (2 % each), seeking adventure and relaxation on

a farm. The trend according to which guests prefer to spend more frequent, but shorter holidays on a

farm appears to continue.

The new homepage www.myfarm.ch for the first time presents all of Switzerland’s agritourism of-

fers, comprising the various overnight choices as well as gastronomy, farm shops and events in every

language region in all parts of Switzerland. The various options ranging from sleeping in straw, guest

rooms, and holiday apartments to alpine huts and group accommodations, can be booked online.

Particularly popular among the guests are the operations offering the opportunity for horseback rid-

ing or where children and adults are welcome to actively help the farmers. Some farms even offer

holidays for kids who are not accompanied by an adult. Also available are holidays on wine-produc-

ing operations.

overnight stays and turnover 2017

Holiday apartments/alpine huts

Guest rooms

Group accommodations

Campground/ Camping/Tepee

Total

offers 189 168 117 28 502

Ø overnight stays per operation 377 141 627 438

total overnight stays 71 253 23 688 73 359 12 264 180 564

Ø Price per person 30 50 25 12

turnover 2 137 590 1 184 400 1 833 975 147 168 5 303 133

source: agritourism switzerland


bed and breakfast

In 2017, 162 465 guests stayed in 843 accommodations in Switzerland (2016: 171 854 guests in 912 ac-

commodations). A total of 372 204 overnight stays were recorded (2016: 396 017 overnight stays). Most

of the overnight stays went to the Swiss guests again: 192 412 (2016: 210 000). Europe, excluding Swit-

zerland, has the second largest share: 145 391 overnight stays (2016: 149 814). The results are not directly

comparable to those of the previous years, as the number of hosts varies annually.

supply and demand

Year Establishments 1 Rooms Beds ArrivalsOvernight stays Swiss

Overnight stays foreigners

Overnight stays total

2017 843 2 667 5 366 162 465 192 412 179 792 372 204

2016 912 2 887 5 777 171 854 210 000 186 017 396 017

2015 911 2 830 5 658 168 062 204 000 192 423 396 423

2014 1 022 3 094 6 208 175 102 210 644 212 142 422 786

Tourist region

Overnight stays 2017

Overnight stays 2016

Change in %

Bern region 54 553 60 977 −10.54

lucerne / lake lucerne 49 074 46 024 6.63

Valais 45 514 47 937 − 5.05

region aargau 32 926 33 804 − 2.60

ticino 32 512 33 105 − 1.79

lake Geneva region (Vaud) 29 752 36 284 − 18.00

Zurich region 29 480 28 285 4.22

eastern switzerland 24 451 26 013 − 6.00

Graubünden 23 664 32 620 − 27.46

Jura & three-lakes 20 917 18 648 12.17

Basel region 13 173 14 634 − 9.98

Fribourg region 12 408 13 995 − 11.34

Geneva 3 780 3 688 2.49

total 372 204 396 014 − 6.01

1 the accommodation units stem exclusively from the list of members of the Bed and Breakfast switzerland organisation.source: Bed and Breakfast switzerland

29

hotel and restaurant industrymaJor employer in switzerland

252 282 employees (2017)

8 009 trainees in basic vocational education and training (2016)

29 022 hotel and restaurant establishments (2015)

26 759 Vat-taxable hotel and restaurant establishments (2015)

27.7 billion francs of Vat-taxable annual turnover in catering business and hotels (2015)

907.7 million francs paid in Vat (after pre-tax deduction) (2015)

or

7.5 % of the overall net Federal tax administration (Fta) receivables (2015)

With 252 282 employees, the Swiss hospitality industry is one of Switzerland’s largest employers.

Around 5 % of all employees work in the hospitality industry. In addition, the hospitality industry trains

around 8009 youths in the context of vocational education and training (‘apprenticeships’). Along-

side jobs in the hospitality industry itself, this sector also indirectly creates many jobs in other fields,

for instance in construction, agriculture and specialised trade. Around half of the meat consumed in

Switzerland is processed by the gastronomy segment, for example. This creates jobs in agriculture and

in butcheries.

The Federal Statistical Office’s most recent count of establishments (2015) showed that there were

29 022 hospitality establishments in Switzerland. A survey of GastroSuisse members showed that 60.7 %

of these were restaurants without overnight accommodation, 35.1 % were hotels with restaurants and

4.3 % were hotels without restaurants. The combined annual revenue of all hospitality establishments

subject to VAT was around 27.7 billion francs. The hospitality industry makes a significant contribution

to VAT income. In 2015, for instance, the hospitality industry paid 907.7 million francs in net VAT. The

26 759 hospitality establishments contributed a full 7.5 % of the Federal Tax Administration’s (FTA’s)

total net tax receivables in 2015.

source: Gastrosuisse, industry report 2018

30 hotel and restaurant industry

sales performance compared to previous years

RestaurantsAccomodationHotel and restaurant industryin %

-12

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

20172016201520142013201220112010200920082007

source: survey KoF (economic research department of the swiss Federal institute of technology, Zurich) in cooperation with Gastrosuisse

hospitality industry (hotel industry and restaurant industry):

change in sales in 2017 compared to previous years

1st quarter – 3.3 % 3rd quarter +2.3 %

2nd quarter +0.3 % 4th quarter – 0.9 %


In the first quarter, sales declined by 3.3 % compared to the previous year. In the second quarter, the

hospitality industry recorded a slight increase in sales (+0.3 %) for the first time in three years. The up-

ward trend continued in the third quarter. Sales increased by 2.3 %. After this upswing, sales stagnated

in the last quarter of 2017 and then slightly declined (−0.9 %).

accommodation:

change in sales in 2017 compared to previous years


2nd quarter +2.4 % 4th quarter +0.7 %



Although in the hotel industry sales were down at the beginning of 2017 (−2.7 %), the business situ-

ation greatly improved over the course of the year. The second quarter developed positively (+2.4 %)

thanks to an increase in the number of guests. In the third quarter the hoteliers were able to increase

sales even more (+5.7 %). A slight growth in sales (+0.7 %) continued in the fourth quarter.

restaurant industry:

change in sales 2017 compared to previous years


2nd quarter – 0.9 % 4th quarter –1.9 %


In the first quarter revenue fell (−3.7 %) due to declining sales of food and beverages. However, in

the second quarter the downward trend slowed (−0.9 %). After several years of development that was

consistently slightly negative, in the third quarter the restaurant business achieved a slight increase

in sales (+0.3 %). In the final quarter of the year, the business situation again deteriorated somewhat

(−1.9 %).

turnover per establishment

Annual turnover in CHF

Turnover per establishment in %

2017 2016

0 5 10 15 20

more than 5 000 000

2 000 001 to 5 000 000

1 500 001 to 2 000 000

1 100 001 to 1 500 000

850 001 to 1 100 000

550 001 to 850 000

350 001 to 550 000

250 001 to 350 000

150 001 to 250 000

up to 150000

2015



As in 2016, compared to previous years a shift from lower to higher sales categories was observed.

On average, turnover per establishment increased. As a result, the number of establishments that

transact between 2 000 001 and 5 000 000 francs increased by 1 percentage point. The number of es-

tablishments with sales of over 5 000 000 francs also increased by 1 percentage point compared to

the previous year. The greatest difference to 2016 is the sales category 1 100 001 to 1 500 000 francs

(+2.1 percentage points). However, the number of establishments in the lower sales categories (up

to 850 000 francs) declined compared to the previous year. The number of establishments that gener-

ate between 350 001 and 850 000 francs decreased by 1.8 percentage points. Likewise, the number of

establishments with sales between 150 001 and 250 000 francs declined (−2.5 percentage points). The

number of establishments in the lowest sales category decreased by 1.4 percentage points.

an overview of important key ratios for the restaurant industry 2016

total turnover per operating day 2 518 chF

total turnover per employee 125 421 chF

total turnover per employee and operating day 468 chF

turnover per restaurant per seat 9 054 chF

turnover per restaurant per seat and operating day 34 chF

turnover from food preparation per seat 6 655 chF

turnover from food preparation per seat and operating day 25 chF


In the 2016 calendar year, on average 2,518 francs were transacted in a restaurant each business day.

Each employee contributed 468 francs every day for an average of 268 business days, which led to

sales totaling 125 421 francs per person. Sales per seat per business day was 34 francs, of which 25

francs were accounted for by culinary output.

More information can be found in the industry report 2018, which is published by GastroSuisse. This

can be obtained from GastroSuisse (tel. 0848 377 112) for 35 francs.


size of establishment: number of seats

201 and more seats

101–200 seats

76–100 seats

51–75 seats

26–50 seats

1–25 seats

8,9%

21,4%

25,1%

21,7%

18,3%

4,7%


revenue breakdown

In 2016, the average revenue from culinary output was 64.2 %, which was about the same as in 2014

and 1.7 percentage points higher than in 2015. The revenue share of alcoholic drinks remained the

second largest at 20.5 %. 15.3 % of the revenue of an average restaurant was earned selling coffee, tea

and mineral water.


0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65

Wine

Beer

Spirits

Mineral water

Kitchen

Coffee / Tea

in %

34

tourism infrastructuretransport

passenger transportation

nuMBer oF PassenGers Per carrier 1950 – 2016

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

Private road transp. Public transp. road Public transp. railways

20162015201420132012201120102005200019901980197019601950

in millions of travellers

nuMBer oF PassenGers Per carrier 2016 in % oF total transPorts

Private road transportation

Ship travel / aerial cableways

Public transportation railways

Public transportation road

16,5%

74,6%

6,7%

2,2%

source: litra Public transport information service

35 tourisM inFrastructure

public transport

The public transport route network on railways, roads, lakes and rivers adds up to a total of 27 993

kilometres. 25 503 stopping points are served. In 2017, 2.53 million passengers made use of a half-fare

card, 480 700 persons held a general abonnement valid throughout the country and over 1.3 million

persons obtained a combined season ticket in one of the 17 regional tariff networks.

one oF the densest railWay netWorKs in the World

The railroad network of Switzerland totals 5 378 kilometres. 3 023 kilometres are part of the Swiss

Federal Railways network. From Monday to Friday, the Swiss railways (SBB) operate around 6 300

passenger trains or 412 000 train kilometres on their route network. Around half of this consists of

long-distance services (Eurocity, Intercity and express trains), the other half of regional and subur-

ban railway services. In 2017, Swiss Federal Railways carried 1.26 million passengers per day. The

average journey distance mounted to 40 kilometres. In addition to Swiss Federal Railways, a further

39 railway companies operate in the public transport sector, which are often referred to as private

railways.

Finely tuned transPort netWorK With Buses, traMs and the PostBus

During the year 2016, 118 transport companies transported guests by tram, trolley bus and bus on a

21 529 kilometre-long network (figures include PostBus). Around 17 250 employees were necessary in

order to transport over 1.5 billion passengers with buses and trams.

The 887 PostBus routes operate a network of over 12 600 kilometres. 2 497 PostBus employees, with an

additional 1 714 drivers from PostBus operators, conveyed almost 155 million passengers with 2 311

Postbuses. The vehicles covered an overall distance of 119 million kilometers.

sources: litra Public transport information service, PostBus switzerland ltd., Public transport association, swiss railway network


navigation: active lake and river cruising in switzerland

In 2017 the 16 companies joined together in the Association of Swiss Navigation Companies (ASNC)

transported a total of 12.22 million passengers with 148 boats. This represents a decrease of 30 000

passengers compared to the prior year.

Lake Lucerne, with 2.68 million passengers, lead the ranking based on the number of passengers,

followed by the Lake Geneva with 2.38 million passengers and the Lake Zurich Horgen–Meilen ferry

with 2.03 million passengers and Lake Zurich (incl. Limmat River) with 1.19 million passengers.

In distance travelled, the performance rised by 23 000 kilometres to 2.44 million kilometres. Inland

waterway transportation covers a network of approximately 1 545 kilometres.

source: asnc association of the swiss navigation companies

air traffic: almost 55 million air passengers

In 2017, Switzerland’s airports registered 0.5 million take-offs and landings by scheduled and charter

flights as well as 54.9 million passengers (local and transit passengers). While the number of flight

movements of scheduled and charter flights has dropped by 13 % since 2000, the number of pas-

sengers has increased by 60 %. The reasons for this development are larger airplanes and higher oc-

cupancy rates.

FliGht MoVeMents and PassenGers

Airport

Movements

Local and transfer passengers

Transitpassengers

Totalpassengers

Zurich Kloten 236 418 29 361 201 33 357 29 394 558

Genève cointrin 147 615 17 259 942 15 025 17 274 967

Basel Mulhouse 70 368 7 868 537 10 267 7 878 804

Bern Belp 5 832 167 566 854 168 420

lugano agno 4 008 135 534 0 135 534

st. Gallen altenrhein 2 501 109 776 0 109 776

sion 521 9 349 0 9 349

total 467 263 54 911 905 59 503 54 971 408

sources: Federal office of civil aviation, swiss Federal statistical office


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The mountain regions within the Alps and their peripheral areas are largely dependent on the income

generated from tourism. The cableways occupy a key position in the tourism value creation chain.

They are often the driving force in tourist destinations.

– By the end of 2016, there were 2 492 licensed facilities in Switzerland. Almost a third of these are

T-bars. Rope tows and conveyors account for another third and approximately 20 % are continu-

ously operating lifts (chairlifts, gondolas, 3-rope gondolas and funitels).

– Throughout Switzerland, cableways hire almost 4 580 full-time employees and almost 8 000 sea-

sonal workers (summer and winter) in transport operations alone.

– In its core business of passenger transport, Swiss cableways achieved in the 2016 /17 winter season

the sum of CHF 651.4 millions. Additional revenue of CHF 370 million was generated by the food

service industry and other activities (e.g. rentals).

– The areas where visitors and locals can take advantage of the Swiss cableways spread from the Alps

of canton Vaud to Eastern Switzerland and the Graubünden Alps. The cableways from Valais and

Graubünden together generate almost 55 % of all passenger transports’ income in Switzerland.

change in winter revenue in switzerland (only passenger transports’ income) (in 1000)

0

200 000

400 000

600 000

800 000

1000 000

2016/172015/162014/152013/142012/132011/122010/112009/102008/092007/08

in CHF

source: swiss cableways (scW), Facts and Figures on the swiss cableways industry 2017; laurent Vanat, season balance 2016 /17

cableways: important in terms of regional economics


evolution of skier-days

Development of the Skier-days (first entry per person and day during winter) depend primarily on the

currency, economy and weather factors influencing tourism. Clearly visible is also a notable reduc-

tion in the number of children and youths skiing or snowboarding.

eVolution oF sKier-days in sWitZerland (in 1000)

0

5 000

10 000

15 000

20 000

25 000

30 000

2016/172015/162014/152013/142012/132011/122010/112009/102008/092007/082006/07

source: swiss cableways (scW), Facts and Figures on the swiss cableways industry 2017; laurent Vanat, season balance 2016 /17

seasonal distribution of passenger transport income

The importance of the summer season for the cableway sector varies greatly from region to region.

While the winter season with a share of 92 % is the most important in the Graubünden, earnings

during the summer account for approximately two thirds of total annual sales in the Ticino. In Swit-

zerland as a whole, the winter quota is 75 %. Valais and Graubünden generate by far the largest in-

come from passenger transport. In absolute figures, the 8 % summer quota in Graubünden (CHF 16.9

million) still represents significantly more income than the 65 % summer quota in Ticino (CHF 6.9

million).

source: swiss cableways (scW), Facts and Figures on the swiss cableways industry 2017

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

SummerWinter

TicinoCentral Switzerland

JuraEastern Switzerland

Bernese OberlandFribourg / Vaud

ValaisGraubünden

CH-Average Winter

switzerlandmobility

SwitzerlandMobility is the national network of non-motorized traffic for leisure and tourism focusing

on the development and communication of the most attractive hiking, cycling, mountain biking,

skating, and canoeing routes in Switzerland. In 2017, the availability of winter hiking, snowshoe walk-

ing, cross-country skiing and sledging was expanded. SwitzerlandMobility links these routes with

public transportation and a wide variety of services in the leisure and tourism industry. The support-

ing body of the network is the SwitzerlandMobility Foundation.

switzerlandmobility route network

suMMer

National routes Regional routes Local routes Number of kilometres

hiking 7 63 356 12 600

cycling 9 54 44 11 000

Mountain biking 3 16 211 9 200

skating 3 13 2 1 200

canoeing 1 8 3 350

total 23 154 616 34 350

status as of 31.12.2017

Winter

Number of offers

Winter hiking 123

snowshoe walking 152

cross-country skiing 143

sledging 82

total 500

status as of 31.12.2017source: switzerlandMobility


sales generated as a result of switzerlandmobility

Since SwitzerlandMobility was launched in the spring of 2008, the interest of the Swiss population

and foreign tourists has grown steadily: while the web portal schweizmobil.ch registered just over

1 million visits in 2008, the number jumped to around 12 million in 2017.

Swiss users Foreign visitors

Turnover from Swiss users (in CHF)

Turnover from foreign users (in CHF)

Total turnover (in CHF)

hiking 920 000 101 000 270 million 30 million 300 million

cycling 750 000 75 000 290 million 65 million 355 million

Mountain biking 160 000 16 000 65 million 10 million 75 million

total 1 830 000 192 000 625 million 105 million 730 million

source: switzerlandMobility, surveys on usage in 2013

slow up

SwitzerlandMobility, jointly with Switzerland Tourism and Health Promotion Switzerland, is a sup-

porter of slowUp projects, car-free days of adventure in all regions of Switzerland.

GroWth in nuMBer oF sloW uP ParticiPants 2003 – 2017

0

100 000

200 000

300 000

400 000

500 000

201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003

3

6

10

1214 14

1516

18 18 18

Number of slowUp-events

19 18 1917

Participants:

– 50 % each women and men

– Average age: 39.6 years

– Expenditures per person: CHF 24.90

source: switzerlandMobility


swiss hiking trails

Switzerland offers hikers an attractive and extensive network of hiking trails covering more than

65 000 kilometres – an offering unrivalled by any other country in the world. Swiss hiking trails are

legally protected and they feature signage compliant with official standards. The ‘Swiss Hiking Trail

Federation’ is the umbrella organisation for the 26 cantonal hiking trail organisations. Together, they

promote hiking, support attractive hiking trail projects and represent hikers’ interests at the politi-

cal level. The umbrella federation also supports the cantonal organisations and their members, who

number approximately 45 000; it is responsible for fund-raising at national level, and it publishes

the WANDERN.CH magazine. On its services website, the Swiss Hiking Trail Federation posts a vast

range of fascinating background reports, tips and hints on hiking, and a database containing more

than 800 suggestions for hiking throughout Switzerland: www.wandern.ch.

network of hiking trails per region

Major regionTotal networkof walks (km)

Paved walks (km)

Mountain walks (km)

eastern switzerland 19 545 3 963 11 268

espace Mittelland 15 354 4 675 2 691

lake Geneva region 12 842 2 829 3 622

central switzerland 8 206 2 257 3 204

ticino 4 366 612 3 485

Zurich 3 005 1 021 18

northwest switzerland 2 784 947 7

total 66 102 16 304 24 295

source: swiss hiking

facts from the study «hiking in switzerland 2014»

– Hiking is the most popular leisure and sporting activity in Switzerland: almost half of the popula-

tion aged 15 to 74 state that they are active hikers / mountain hikers. This figure translates into 2.7

million Swiss hikers in addition to 300 000 tourists from abroad.

– The popularity of hiking has continued to increase in recent years: Switzerland has 7 % more hikers

today than in 2008.

– On average, each hiker takes 20 hikes of various lengths per year, with an average hiking time

of three hours. Spread over a full year, this results in about 60 hours of hiking for a typical hiker.

Three quarters of hikers also hike during the winter months.


– The average spend per person and day during a hike in Switzerland is CHF 45 or CHF 860 per year.

Therefore, revenue generated by hikers amounts to approximately CHF 2.8 billion, broken down as

follows: travel to and from the destination (approx. CHF 750 million), public transportation used

along the way (approx. CHF 160 million), meals (approx. CHF 950 million), overnight accommoda-

tion (approx. CHF 420 million), equipment (approx. CHF 490 million), and miscellaneous (approx.

CHF 40 million).

– Hikers are by no means the only users of hiking trails: overall, about 80 % of the Swiss population

make use of signed hiking trails.

– Signposts and trail markers are the most important forms of navigation support along the way.

importance of various reasons for hiking

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

not importantless importantimportantvery important

Compete with othersTrain for a competition/event

Test one’s limitsPursue personal performance goals

Look betterMeet other people

Create memorable experiencesEnjoy time with friends

RelaxUnwind

Stay fit and in shapeHave fun

Enjoy being activeSpend time outdoors

Promote health

source: ‘sport schweiz 2014’ study, number of respondents: 10 652, of which 3665 hikers (recognized athletes only)

hikers are satisfied with the offer

Of particular importance to hikers are the attractive scenery along the trails, the experience of nature

and the opportunity to unwind while hiking. In terms of infrastructure, end-to-end trail signage (in-

cluding information on hiking times at regular intervals), unpaved (natural) paths, and varied, well

maintained trails are rated as very important by hikers. More than 60 % also consider restaurants, inns

and public transportation to the trails to be important or very important. Most hikers are very satisfied

with the above-mentioned aspects.

source: swiss hiking


swiss parks

The park environment in Switzerland has taken shape. Following the dynamic developments of the

past 10 years, the latest map (updated January 2018) includes 19 parks and park projects, representing

more than 12 % of the area of Switzerland in 13 different cantons.

The Swiss National Park in the Engadine is the best-known park in the country. It was established over

100 years ago as the first national park in the Alpine region, and it has its own legal basis. Since the

revision of the Federal Act on the Protection of Nature and Cultural Heritage (NCHA) of 2007, one new

national park project has been developing: the Parco Nazionale del Locarnese in the Canton of Ticino.

During the popular votes held in June 2018, the residents if the communes participating in the project

will decide whether or not the park will see the light of day.

In addition to the national parks, Switzerland has 15 regional nature parks and one nature discovery

park that meet the requirements of the Parks Ordinance (ParkO) to the NCHA. There is also the Jorat

Nature Discovery Park, a park project in the Canton of Vaud.

Swiss park policy has been a success story. Regional nature parks have sprung up in all areas of the

country. They have become pillars of long-term regional growth, creating added value for the nature

and the countryside, for society and the regional economy – with tourism and regional products as

the main economic beneficiaries. The national and nature discovery parks focus on conservation of

nature and the countryside, with particular emphasis on natural processes (core zones). By providing

the basis for experiences of nature, these parks also attract tourism.

In 2016, the Swiss Parks won the ‘Tourism For Tomorrow Award’, an international prize for sustainable

tourism. Thanks to its parks, Switzerland was thus honoured as one of the world’s most sustainable

destinations.

Studies on value added by tourism in the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch (Knaus F., 2012) and the Bio-

phere Reserve ‘Val Müstair Parc Naziunal’ (Backhaus N., 2013) have shown that 16 % of visitors make

their journeys because of the Biosphere Entlebuch, while as many as 36 % travel on account of the

Swiss National Park. They generate total added value of CHF 6 million for the Entlebuch region and

CHF 20 million for the Swiss National Park region, corresponding to six times the amount of the public

funds invested (at federal, cantonal and municipal levels).

source: swiss Parks network


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18



swiss ski schools

152 Swiss ski schools employ approximately 4 000 ski, snowboard, telemark and nordic instructors.

During the high season, as many as 7 000 teach in these schools that offer skiing, snowboard, nordic

and telemark lessons for both children and adults. On request, there are also a number of other sport-

ing activities and package deals available to guests.

change in the number of lessons sold by swiss ski schools 1

1 status as of May 2018

breakdown of group and private lessons

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%Private lessons

Group lessons

2017/182016/172015/16

source: sWiss snoWsPorts

Up-to-date figures for the season will be available at www.snowsports.ch as of August. These will ad-

ditionally be published in the annual report.

Sold lessons (hours)

3 000 000

3 500 000

4 000 000

4 500 000

5 000 000

17/1816/1715/1614/1513/1412/1311/1210/1109/1008/0907/0806/0705/06

47

formal educationvocational education and training

federal proficiency certificates

Hotel and restaurant

Certificates of qualification issued 2017 2016

Apprentices hired 2017 2016

hotelfachmann/-frau eFZ 318 307 303 315

hotel-Kommunikationsfachmann/-frau eFZ – – 109 –

Koch/Köchin eFZ 1 444 1 463 1 595 1 626

restaurationsfachmann/-frau eFZ 520 553 482 566

systemgastronomiefachmann/-frau eFZ 54 44 49 62

Transport services

Matrose/Matrosin der Binnenschifffahrt eFZ 11 11 18 10

seilbahn-Mechatroniker/in eFZ 16 23 39 35

Fachmann/-frau öffentlicher Verkehr eFZ – – 68 70

Economy and administration

Kaufmann/-frau eFZ B

hotel-Gastro-tourismus 31 55 7 7

Öffentlicher Verkehr 17 29 2 3

reisebüro 6 8 2 3

transport 14 12 7 6

Kaufmann/-frau eFZ e

hotel-Gastro-tourismus 192 188 146 140

Öffentlicher Verkehr 301 290 220 289

reisebüro 145 155 128 132

transport 20 20 27 21

federal certificates (bfc)

Hotel and restaurant

hotellerieangestellte/r eBa 26 28 33 33

Küchenangestellte/r eBa 258 301 384 364

restaurationsangestellte/r eBa 112 96 141 147

seilbahner/in eBa 5 4 – 7

source: swiss Federal statistical office

48 ForMal education

higher vocational education and training: final exams

1

federal certificates Men2016

Women Total2015Total

2014Total

Bereichsleiter/-in hotellerie-hauswirtschaft 4 71 75 72 81

Bereichsleiter/-in restauration 9 19 28 31 30

Bergführer/-in 18 – 18 23 20

cabin crew Member 17 23 40 47 60

chef de réception 1 17 18 – 13

chefkoch / chefköchin 130 29 159 111 132

Fachmann/-frau im Pisten und rettungsdienst – – – 25 –

Gastro-Betriebsleiter/-in 32 25 57 77 68

schneesportlehrer/-in 75 32 107 114 133

seilbahnfachmann/-frau 34 – 34 12 41

tourismus-assistent/-in 4 24 28 44 34

Wanderleiter/-in 6 3 9 5 46

federal diplomas

Manager/-in öffentlicher Verkehr 18 1 19 – 17

Gastro-unternehmer/-in 11 11 22 17 12

Küchenchef/-in 36 1 37 4 31

leiter/-in Gemeinschaftsgastronomie 5 1 6 1 7

leiter/-in hotellerie – hauswirtschaft – 2 2 – 3

restaurationsleiter/-in 4 4 8 – 4

Manager/-in Gesundheitstourismus und Bewegung – – – 1 10

seilbahnmanager/-in – – – 3 –

diploma of colleges

Betriebsleitung Facility Management 1 28 29 33 23

hotellerie und Gastronomie 204 238 442 417 462

tourismus 41 157 198 173 206

bachelor of universities of applied sciences Men2016

Women Total2015Total

2014 Total

hospitality Management 156 208 364 544 504

tourismus 46 137 183 191 164

1 the figures for 2017 were not available at the time of printing.source: swiss Federal statistical office

49

internationaltourist arrivals

International tourist arrivals grew by a remarkable 7 % in 2017 to reach a total of 1,322 billion, accord-

ing to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. This is well above the sustained and consistent

trend of growth since 2010 and represents the strongest results in seven years.

2017 was characterised by sustained growth in many destinations and a firm recovery in those that suf-

fered decreases in previous years. Results were partly shaped by the global economic upswing and the

robust outbound demand from many traditional and emerging source markets, particularly a rebound

in tourism spending from Brazil and the Russian Federation after a few years of declines.

International arrivals in million2017 1 2016

Change in %2017 1/16 2016 /15

europe 670.7 619.0 8.4 2.3

northern europe 77.0 73.8 4.4 5.8

Western europe 194.4 181.5 7.1 0.0

central / eastern europe 132.9 126.6 4.9 3.5

southern / Mediter. europe 266.4 237.1 12.4 2.4

asia and pacific 324.0 305.9 5.9 7.7

north-east asia 159.5 154.3 3.4 8.6

south-east asia 120.2 110.8 8.4 6.3

oceania 16.6 15.7 6.0 9.7

south asia 27.7 25.1 10.4 7.0

americas 207.1 200.7 3.2 3.6

north america 133.2 130.9 1.7 2.7

caribbean 26.0 25.2 3.2 4.7

central america 11.2 10.7 4.7 4.1

south america 36.7 33.9 8.4 6.3

africa 62.8 57.6 9.0 7.6

north africa 21.7 18.9 15.0 5.0

subsaharan africa 41.1 38.7 6.0 8.9

middle east 58.0 55.6 4.4 − 4.3

world 1323 1239 6.8 3.7

1 estimatesource: World tourism organization (unWto)

50 international

Rank Country of destinationInternational arrivals in million

2016 2015Change in %

2016 1/15 2015/14

1 France 82.6 84.5 −2.2 0.9

2 united states 75.9 77.5 −2.1 3.3

3 spain 75.3 68.2 10.5 5.0

4 china 59.3 56.9 4.2 2.3

5 italy 52.5 50.9 3.1 4.4

6 united Kingdom 35.8 34.4 4.0 5.6

7 Germany 35.6 35.0 1.8 6.0

8 Mexico 35.1 32.1 9.3 9.4

9 thailand 32.6 29.9 8.9 20.6

10 turkey 30.3 39.5 −23.3 −0.8

34 switzerland 10.4 9.3 11.8 1.6

Rank Country of destination

International tourism receipts in billion US-$

2017 2016

Change in %based on local currency

2017 1/16 2016/15

1 united states 203.7 205.9 −1.1 0.3

2 spain 68.0 60.5 10.1 7.2

3 France 60.7 54.5 9.0 −6.3

4 thailand 57.5 48.8 13.1 12.2

5 china 32.6 44.4 −25.4 5.3

6 united Kingdom 43.9 41.5 10.8 3.3

7 italy 44.0 40.2 7.2 2.3

8 Germany 39.8 37.5 4.2 1.7

9 australia 42.8 37.0 12.1 9.3

10 hong Kong (china) 33.2 32.8 1.6 −9.0

22 switzerland 17.0 16.3 4.5 1.4

1 estimatesource: World tourism organization (unWto)

top destinations

51

Quality promotionQuality programme of swiss tourism

The Quality Programme of Swiss Tourism promotes the development of quality and

quality assurance in tourism operations. The three-level programme is supported by

eleven industry organisations. In 2017 the programme was revised and published with

new contents.

trained persons

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

201720162015201020052000

Level IILevel I Total

Since 1998 a total of 12 483 individuals have been trained and 8 819 quality labels have

been granted. Compared to the previous year, the Lucerne / Lake Lucerne region report-

ed the largest increase in valid Q-labels (+12.3 %) in 2017, while Taxis (+383 %) was the

industry with the highest growth.

labels per industry 2017

status as of 31.12.2017source: swiss tourism Federation

Other

Snow sport schools

Public transport

Bus touring companies

Tourism organisations

Taxis

Hotel industry18,5%

3,9%

13,8%

5,6%

38,8%

15,5%

3,9%

52 quality ProMotion

Since 1996 Swiss holiday destinations addressing their services to the needs and wishes

of families can apply for the Family Destination quality label. In 2017, 26 destinations

were bearing the label.

Since 2008 the Swiss Tourism Federation has been awarding a Wellness Destination

quality label to Swiss holiday destinations specialising in wellness services. In 2017 this

quality label was awarded to 9 destinations.

destinations carrying the label

FaMily destination 2016 – 2018

Valais 1 Fiesch 2 riederalp 3 Bettmeralp 4 Blatten – Belalp 5 Bellwald 6 crans-Montana 7 nendaz 8 Grächen 9 saas-Fee 10 Zermatt

Bernese oberland 11 lenk 12 hasliberg

lucerne / lake lucerne 13 sörenberg 14 engelberg

eastern switzerland / liechtenstein 15 Braunwald 16 Wildhaus-alt st. Johann 17 Malbun

Graubünden 18 Flims, laax 19 lenzerheide 20 savognin 21 arosa 22 davos 23 Klosters 24 Pontresina 25 Zuoz

ticino 26 ascona – locarno

Wellness destination 2015 – 2017

Fribourg region a charmey Zurich region F city of Baden

Bernese oberland B Gstaad saanenland lucerne / lake lucerne G Weggis Vitznau rigi

Valais c leukerbad ticino h ascona – locarno

aargau region d rheinfelden Graubünden i engadin scuol

e Bad Zurzach

source: swiss tourism Federation

family destination / wellness destination

123

4

5

6

7 8

910

1312

14

26

15

18

19

20

21 22

23

24

25

1617

11

Wellness Destination

Family Destination

G

F

I

A

B

C

E

H

D


The Swiss Tourism Federation classifications are aimed at providing an idea about the

quality and services of holiday apartments and guest rooms in Switzerland. This results in

a high level of transparency and therefore comparability between the different providers.

awarded certificates 2017

83

14 420

1940

9998

845

30

1217293

1835

218

4103

791

0 – 100 101 – 10001001 – 3000

3001 – 15 000

52

a detailed overview of the regional distribution is found on page 23 of this brochure.source: swiss tourism Federation

ibex fairstay

ibex fairstay accompanies lodging companies on their way to a sustainable company

management. Hotels, hostels and clinics which surpass their responsibility for sustain-

able action will be rewarded. The integral support contains the five areas such as manage-

ment, ecology, regionalism, social awareness and economic efficiency. With the help of a

measure catalogue as well as supported calculations and analyses practical improvement

possibilities are indicated. The companies are awarded the bronze, silver, gold or plati-

num level according to their performance of sustainability. There is also the possibility of

a combined certificate of the EU-Ecolabel as well as the Quality Program of Swiss Tourism.

Year 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013

certified companies 58 56 57 55 53

source: ibex fairstay

classification of holiday apartments and guest rooms

other labels


safety in adventures

The Safety in Adventures foundation has defined objectives to set a standard for outdoor

and adventure activities. Commercial providers develop and implement their own safety

concept according to the management system of Safety in Adventures. This forms the

basis for the certification and the awarding of the label by an independent body. Since

2014 certification is legally required for bungee, canyoning and rafting.

Year 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013


source: safety in adventures

eu environmental label for lodging establishments

The EU environmental label for lodging establishments is the only environmental

certificate for hotel and non-hotel lodging operations recognized throughout Europe. It

communicates to the guests that the management is concerned with issues of ecology.

Compliance with the required criteria is ensured by on-site inspections.

The purpose of the label is to encourage lodging establishments to consider the eco-

logy in their operations. In the medium- to long-term, the certified establishments are

expected to decrease energy usage, reduce water consumption, lessen the amount of

waste, increasingly use regional products and foster the environmental awareness of

both staff and guests.

Year 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013


source: saladino umweltprojekte

55

tourism associations and institutions

Tourism interest groups and professional associations

agritourism switzerland

Brunnmattstrasse 21, 3007 Bern, phone +41 (0)31 359 50 30, www.myfarm.ch, [email protected].

umbrella organisation for the marketing and coordination of agritourist services in switzerland with around 250 members.

association of postgraduate hoteliers and restaurateurs shv/hotelmanager nds hf

secretariat, Kapplerstrasse 70, 9642 ebnat-Kappel, phone +41 (0)79 833 81 75, www.vdh.ch, [email protected]

networking, further education and friendship care for students of the postdiploma course unternehmensführung resp. nachdiplom-

studium nds hF of hotelleriesuisse.

association of swiss tourism managers (astm)

c/o schmid Pelli & Partner aG, Weinbergstrasse 164, 8006 Zurich, phone +41 (0)43 810 06 06, www.vstm.ch, [email protected].

representation of the professional interests of tourist office managers. Professional development, network maintenance, lobbying.

association of the swiss navigation companies

Mythenquai 333, 8038 Zurich, phone +41 (0)43 243 16 57, fax +41 (0)43 243 16 58, www.vssu.ch, [email protected].

safeguarding the interests of the 16 member shipping companies.

bed and breakfast switzerland

sonnenweg 3, 4144 arlesheim, phone +41 (0)61 703 00 83, www.swissbnb.ch, [email protected].

organisation of swiss BnB host families. information, promotion (internet / app), quality assurance, official institution for the

classification of all swiss BnBs.

community of interest of the higher schools of tourism management switzerland

c/o ist aG, Josefstrasse 59, 8005 Zürich, phone +41 (0)44 440 30 90, fax +41 (0)44 271 71 17, www.ist-edu.ch, [email protected].

safeguarding common interests towards the public authorities, associations and the general public, promotion of tourism manage-

ment education and training in switzerland.

foundation switzerlandmobility

spitalgasse 34, 3011 Bern, phone +41 (0)31 318 01 28, fax +41 (0)31 318 01 29, www.switzerlandmobility.ch,

[email protected]. quality assurance, information, development of national, regional and local offers for hiking, cycling,

mountain biking, skating, canoeing, winter hiking, snowshoe trekking, cross-country skiing and sledging.

gastrosuisse

Blumenfeldstrasse 20, P.o. Box, 8046 Zurich, phone +41 (0)848 377 111, fax +41 (0)848 377 112, www.gastrosuisse.ch,

[email protected]. Gastrosuisse is the association for hotels and restaurants in switzerland. around 20 000 members organised in

26 cantonal sections and 4 specialist groups belong to switzerland’s largest employers’ association in the hospitality industry.

groups ag | feel at home – together

spitzackerstrasse 19, 4410 liestal, phone +41 (0)61 926 60 00, www.groups.swiss, [email protected].

organisation of group accommodations and group hotels in switzerland. services: rental agency (commission-free), worldwide

marketing, consultation and settlement services, quality management, travel insurance specifically for groups, booking software

www.groupsoffice.com.

hotelleriesuisse

Monbijoustrasse 130, P.o. Box, 3001 Bern, phone +41 (0)31 370 41 11, fax +41 (0)31 370 44 44, www.hotelleriesuisse.ch,

[email protected]. hotelleriesuisse is the centre of excellence for the swiss hotel industry and the trade association

which represents the interests of the nationally and internationally oriented hotel establishments. the association is a member of the

european hotelstars union.

56 tourisM associations and institutions

hotel & gastro union

adligenswilerstrasse 29/22, P.o. Box 4870, 6002 lucerne, phone +41 (0)41 418 22 22, fax +41 (0)41 412 03 72,

www.hotelgastrounion.ch, [email protected]. union of employees, professionals and management staff of the

hotel / restaurant trade of bakers and confectioners.

interhome ag

sägereistrasse 27, 8152 Glattbrugg, phone +41 (0)43 810 91 91, www.interhome.ch/en, [email protected].

rental specialist for individual holiday houses and apartments in the most popular regions of switzerland and internationally.

interhome’s services include the management of the properties as well as the handling of the complete booking process and

fulfillment while ensuring high quality standards.

parahotellerie switzerland

schaffhauserstrasse 14, P.o. Box, 8042 Zurich, phone +41 (0)44 360 14 31, fax +41 (0)44 360 14 25, [email protected].

representation of the interests of quality-conscious swiss non-hotel establishments regarding tourism policy matters and the

promotion of meaningful partnerships and activities. Members ensure direct quality definition / quality control and operate their own

online reservation platforms. the current members are Bed and Breakfast switzerland, interhome aG, swiss travel Fund (reka),

swiss youth hostels and tcs camping.

snow sport initiative switzerland – gosnow.ch

Finkenhubelweg 11, P.o. Box, 3001 Bern, phone +41 (0)31 307 47 52, www.gosnow.ch, [email protected]. association for the

promotion of snow sports for children and adolescents at a national level through organised low-cost arrangements for schools.

swiss association of public transport

dählhölzliweg 12, 3000 Bern 6, phone +41 (0)31 359 23 23, fax +41 (0)31 359 23 10, www.voev.ch, [email protected].

Protection of interests. Promotion of collaboration amongst the members. information and consultation activities. Professional

formation and further education.

swiss cableways

dählhölzliweg 12, 3000 Bern 6, phone +41 (0)31 359 23 33, fax +41 (0)31 359 23 10, www.seilbahnen.org, [email protected].

representation of the common interests of the cableways vis-à-vis the authorities and the government, information of the media and

the public regarding industry concerns, fundamental training, continuing education and training offered to employees at all levels,

consultation for members regarding legal, financial, operational, technical, and administrative issues, periodic surveys regarding the

industry’s financial position.

swisscamps – swiss camping association

Bahnhofstrasse 5, 3322 schönbühl, phone +41 (0)31 852 06 26, fax +41 (0)31 852 06 27, www.swisscamps.ch, [email protected].

Promotion of camping vacations and classification of camp sites.

swiss centre for mountain regions (sab)

seilerstrasse 4, 3001 Bern, phone +41 (0)31 382 10 10, www.sab.ch, [email protected]. created in 1943. lobbying for mountain regions

and advisory services for projects in regional development.

swiss hiking trail federation

Monbijoustrasse 61, 3007 Bern, phone +41 (0)31 370 10 20, fax +41 (0)31 370 10 21, www.wandern.ch, [email protected].

umbrella organisation of 26 cantonal hiking associations. Promotes hiking trails and hiking in switzerland.

swiss hostels

alpenstrasse 16, 3800 interlaken, phone +41 (0)33 823 46 46, fax +41 (0)33 823 46 47, www.swisshostels.com, [email protected].

industry organisation for independent hostels in switzerland. Joint marketing, joint purchase, network and exchange, and strengthen

the position of swiss hostels in the swiss accommodation industry.


swiss parks network

Monbijoustrasse 61, 3007 Bern, phone +41 (0)31 381 10 71, www.parks.swiss, [email protected].

the network is the umbrella organisation of all swiss parks which administers the interests of its members and assists them in

establishing and operating the parks, as well as in ensuring their quality in the long-term. the 19 parks characterize themselves by

their natural and cultural landscapes. they are engaged to protect and to valorize them.

swiss snowsports

hühnerhubelstrasse 95, 3123 Belp, phone +41 (0)31 810 41 11, fax +41 (0)31 810 41 12, www.snowsports.ch, www.swiss-ski-school.ch,

[email protected], [email protected]. alliance of tourism sector institutions interested in joint promotion of the swiss ski

school system. education of ski, snowboard, telemark and cross-country teachers.

swiss tourism federation (stf)

Finkenhubelweg 11, P.o. Box, 3001 Bern, phone +41 (0)31 307 47 47, fax +41 (0)31 307 47 48, www.stv-fst.ch, [email protected].

to safeguard the interests of those responsible for tourism in switzerland and to participate in all tourism policy decisions; to provide

information about the importance of tourism and to contribute to tourism research.

swiss travel savings fund (reka) cooperative

neuengasse 15, 3001 Bern, phone +41 (0)31 329 66 33, fax +41 (0)31 329 66 01, www.reka.ch, [email protected].

the swiss travel Fund (reka) cooperative is a strong, modern organization with a non-profit-making social tourism goal. it aims to

enable as many families in switzerland as possible to enjoy holidays and leisure. With its two business spheres, reka Money and

reka holidays, it has achieved a unique swiss product mix.

swiss youth hostels (syh)

schaffhauserstrasse 14, P.o. Box, 8042 Zurich, phone +41 (0)44 360 14 14, fax +41 (0)44 360 14 60, www.youthhostel.ch,

[email protected]. Promotion of youth and family travel, accommodation for individual travellers, groups, schools and families.

thermal spas and health hotels switzerland

Bahnhofstrasse 2, 9100 herisau, phone +41 (0)71 350 14 14, fax +41 (0)71 350 14 18, www.kuren.ch, www.thermenschweiz.ch,

[email protected]. representing the interests of thermal spas, convalescent homes, clinics of rehabilitation and health hotels.

Public corporations

swiss association for hotel credit (sgh)

uetlibergstrasse 134b, P.o. Box, 8027 Zurich, phone +41 (0)44 209 16 16, fax +41 (0)44 209 16 17, www.sgh.ch, [email protected].

Financing, appraisals, consulting.

switzerland tourism (st)

tödistrasse 7, 8027 Zurich, phone +41 (0)44 288 11 11, fax +41 (0)44 288 12 05, www.Myswitzerland.com, [email protected].

offices in 26 countries. increase the demand for switzerland as a travel, holiday and congress destination.


Federal institutes

state secretariat for economic affairs seco

tourism policy, holzikofenweg 36, 3003 Bern, phone +41 (0)58 462 27 58, www.seco.admin.ch, [email protected].

central federal authority for national and international tourism policies.

swiss federal statistical office (fso)

tourism section, espace de l‘europe 10, 2010 neuchâtel, phone +41 (0)58 467 24 40, fax +41 (0)58 463 62 15,

www.tourismus.bfs.admin.ch, [email protected]. to provide statistics on swiss tourism (surveys on infrastructure, arrivals and

overnight stays in hotels, holiday homes, group accomodation and camping places, tourism balance of payments, tourism satellite

account and travel behavior).

Institutes of higher education

institute of tourism itw (lucerne university of applied sciences and arts)

rösslimatte 48, P.o. Box 2940, 6002 lucerne, phone +41 (0)41 228 41 45, fax +41 (0)41 228 41 44, www.hslu.ch/itw, [email protected].

study programmes and further education, applied research and consultation in the fields of destination management, sports & events,

wellness and health, sustainability, e-tourism, leisure and tourism-related traffic and public transportation.

institute for tourism (ito), hes-so valais (university of applied sciences and arts western switzerland)

technoPôle 3, 3960 sierre, phone +41 (0)27 606 90 01, fax +41 (0)27 606 90 00, www.hevs.ch, [email protected].

Bsc study programmes and further education, applied research and consulting especially in digital transformation and online

marketing, monitoring and management tools in tourism (observatory), service design, market research and market intelligence.

institute for tourism and leisure (itf) at the university of applied sciences htw chur

comercialstrasse 22, 7000 chur, phone +41 (0)81 286 24 24, fax +41 (0)81 286 39 49, www.itf.ch, [email protected].

Bsc (full- and part-time) and Msc study programmes as well as further education (cas, das, Mas) in tourism and leisure

management. applied research and consultancy in the areas of service innovation, tourism 4.0, and the management of tourism real

estate and infrastructure, taking into account sustainable development.

research unit tourism (cred-t) in the center for regional economic development, university of bern

schanzeneckstrasse 1, P.o. Box, 3001 Bern, phone +41 (0)31 631 37 11, www.cred-t.unibe.ch, [email protected].

academic teaching, research and services, in particular concerning regional development, experience economy and tourism,

macroeconomics and tourism as well as environmental economics and tourism.


International Tourism Organisations

european travel commission (etc)

rue du Marché aux herbes 61, 1000 Brussels, Belgium, phone +32 2 502 01 13, fax +32 2 514 18 43, www.etc-corporate.org,

www.visiteurope.com, [email protected].

eurostat

Joseph Bech Building, 5, rue alphonse Weicker, 2721 luxembourg, phone +35 2 4301 1, fax +35 2 4301 35349,

www.ec.europa.eu/eurostat, [email protected].

hotels, restaurants & cafés in europe (hotrec)

36-38 rue dautzenberg, 1050 Brussels, Belgium, phone +32 2 548 90 00, fax +32 2 502 41 73, www.hotrec.eu,

[email protected].

world tourism organization (unwto)

calle capitán haya 42, 28020 Madrid, spain, phone +34 91 567 81 00, fax +34 91 253 40 36, www.unwto.org, [email protected].

Fsc-label

swiss tourism in figures 2017 structure and industry data · at a glance 4 27 993 km public...

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