swiss tourism in figures 2016 structure and …...2016 2 2015 1 2014 expenditure of swiss tourists...

swiss tourism in figures 2016 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: Matthias nutt, lobhornhütte | 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. Bern, July 2017

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

28 425 km public transportation network24 012 train stations and stops

CHF 44.8 billion 1total revenue generated by Swiss tourism

163 750 full-time equivalents 1

CHF 16.4 billion 1gross value added

CHF 16.0 billion 2revenue from foreign tourists in Switzerland

35 532 576 hotel overnight staysaverage stay = 2.0 nights

4949 hotels and health establishments271 710 hotel beds

One of the largest export industries in Switzerland4.7 % of export revenue

29 072 restaurants8266 trainees

51 865 546 air passengers468 226 flights

CHF 16.3 billion 2outlays by Swiss tourists abroad

1 swiss Federal statistical office, annual indicators of the tourism satellite account tsa 2015 (first estimate)2 swiss Federal statistical office, tourism Balance of paymentssources: 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 July 2016 (SR 641.20)

tourism statistics

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

Status as of 1 December 2016 (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 2016

(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 20 June 2005

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 no tourism law

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 luzern, 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, part of district of thun

7 bernese oberland: canton of Bern: districts of Frutigen-niedersimmental, interlaken-oberhasli, obersimmental-saanen,

part of the district of 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 2016

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 44.8 billion in 2015, 20.3 billion or almost 45.3 % came from tourist accommodation, meals and

passenger transportation. These three tourism products are responsible for 63.5 % 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 2015, approximately 4.7 % of Switzerland’s export revenue

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

export revenue

Industry2016

CHF bn2015

CHF bn2014

CHF bn2013

CHF bn2012

CHF bn

chemical industry 94.3 84.7 85.3 80.9 79.0

Metal and machine industry 58.2 57.3 60.5 60.0 59.4

Merchanting 2 26.3 24.8 26.5 23.3 26.9

Financial services 2 19.6 19.9 20.1 20.8 20.7

Watchmaking industry 19.4 21.5 22.3 21.8 21.4

tourism (tourism Balance of Payments) 16.0 15.8 16.3 15.6 15.1

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 16 June 2017). 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

2016 2 2015 1 2014Expenditure of Swiss tourists abroad

2016 2 2015 1 2014

tourism, including overnight stays 10.3 10.5 10.9 11.8 11.2 11.4

Visitors staying in lodging facilities and

with relatives

7.3 7.4 7.7

educational & medical stays 3.0 3.1 3.2

excursionists, transit visitors, other tourism 3.1 2.8 3.0 4.4 4.4 4.0

consumption expenditure of border workers

incl. short-term residents (< 4 months)

2.6 2.5 2.4

total 16.0 15.8 16.3 16.3 15.7 15.4

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

decrease in oVerall tourisM deMand

Overall tourism demand declined in 2015 (−1.3 %) after previously falling during the preceding year

(2014: −0.5 %). A negative development was observed for most products in 2014, leading to a decrease

in the overall tourism demand to a total of CHF 44.844 billion. The decrease in accommodation ser-

vices (−0.9 %) and food and beverage serving services (−0.6 %) remained relatively slight and was not

completely compensated with the higher growth among passenger transport services (3.3 %), culture

(2.1 %) and tourism-connected products (0.9 %). Decrease of non-tourism-specific products amount-

ed to −4.6 %.

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 quide services

Passenger transport services

Food and beverage serving services

Accomodation services

2015 120142013

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 accountsliGht decrease in Gross Value added GroWth

In 2015, the total gross value added by tourism showed a downturn (−1.0 %). Overall, this amounted

to CHF 16.352 billion. Some of the products recorded positive gross value added trends, with the

growth of recreation and other entertainment services registering an increase of 3.2 %. However, the

product categories ‘food and beverage serving services’ (−2.7 %) and ‘Passenger transport services’

(−3.2 %) overall registered lower growth, so a slight overall decrease (−1.0 %) was recorded. Growth for

tourism-connected products was 1.0 % and for non-tourism-specific products −0.7 %.

share of tourism gross value added according to products

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





Cultural services

Travel agency, tour operator andtourist guide services




2015 120142013



the tourism satellite accountunchanGed tourisM eMPloyMent

Although the overall tourism demand and the gross value added recorded a decrease in growth rates,

tourism employment in full-time equivalents remained stable in 2015 (0.0 %) to 163’750 full-time

equivalents. A decrease was registered for the products ‘accommodation services’ (−2.4 %), ‘Food and

beverage serving services’ (−0.6 %) as well as Non-tourism-specific products (−0.2 %). All remaining

products registered an increase in tourism employment in which the products ‘Cultural services’

(+4.5 %) and ‘Recreation and other entertainment services’ (+3.7 %) showed a high growth rate.

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

0 10 000 20 000 30 000 40 000





Cultural services

Travel agency, tour operator andtourist guide services




2015 120142013



full-time eQuivalents according to economic sectors

(in 1000, annual aVeraGe)

2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

service industry total 2854.5 2842.6 2808.5 2783.4 2719.3 2653.4

Men 1544.3 1539.7 1524.1 1514.6 1477.5 1443.4

Women 1310.3 1302.9 1284.3 1268.7 1241.8 1210.0

accommodation total 64.2 63.6 65.2 65.7 66.0 68.0

Men 30.5 29.7 30.3 30.6 30.6 31.5

Women 33.6 33.9 34.8 35.1 35.4 36.5

Food and beverage total 119.0 119.8 120.5 119.0 121.0 124.7service activities

Men 57.8 58.6 59.8 59.2 59.3 61.0

Women 61.2 61.1 60.7 59.8 61.7 63.7

land transport and total 105.5 105.8 104.9 104.0 102.0 99.0transport via pipelines

Men 91.4 91.3 90.6 90.0 88.2 86.0

Women 14.1 14.6 14.3 14.1 13.8 13.0

Water transport and total 14.1 13.8 14.0 14.0 13.2 12.3air transport

Men 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.5 8.0 7.4

Women 5.7 5.4 5.4 5.5 5.2 4.9

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

20164th quarter

20163rd quarter

20162nd quarter

20161st quarter

20154th quarter

Full-time jobs (90 % and over) 136.3 134.8 137.8 140.0 138.9

Men 77.2 74.1 75.7 78.0 77.2

Women 59.1 60.7 62.1 62.0 61.7

Part-time jobs i (50 – 89 %) 49.3 49.4 48.3 47.6 48.3

Part-time jobs ii (15 – 49 %) 41.6 40.8 39.9 39.2 42.5

Part-time jobs iii (< 15 %) 23.9 23.2 23.8 26.4 26.6

total number of jobs (overall) 251.1 248.3 249.8 253.2 256.3

Men 108.6 103.0 105.2 109.1 109.8

Women 142.5 145.3 144.7 144.0 146.4

source: swiss Federal statistical office, employment statistic

employment statistictransPort, accoMModation and Food serVice actiVities

14

In 2015, 88 % of the Swiss resident population undertook at least one trip with one or more overnight

stays away from home. A total of 22.8 million trips were made, of which 7.8 million were within Swit-

zerland. On average 3.1 trips were made per person, of which 1.0 had a domestic destination.

Women and men made about the same number of trips. People living in the German-speaking part

of Switzerland undertook 3.2 trips, those from the French-speaking part 2.8 and the Italian-speaking

population 2.3.

number of trips (in 1000)

2015 2014 2013

trips with overnight stays 22 755 21 159 22 217

day trips 79 660 75 780 76 447

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

lation undertook a total of 79.7 million day trips in 2015, corresponding to an average of 10.7 trips per

person. People living in the German-speaking part of Switzerland undertook 11.7 day trips, whereas

one from the French- or Italian-speaking population made 8.4 and 7.4 trips per year respectively.

number of trips (Per Person)

2015 2014 2013

trips with overnight stays 3.1 2.9 3.0

day trips 10.7 10.3 10.5

1 swiss resident population aged 6 or over: 7 458 913 personssource: swiss Federal statistical office, travel behaviour 2015

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 2015, 34 % had a Swiss destination. 40 % of trips led to

countries that border Switzerland, namely Germany (13 %), Italy (12 %) and France (10 %). Finally, 19 %

of trips had a destination in other European countries and 7 % outside Europe.

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

2015 2014 2013

switzerland 7 830 7 732 8 648

Germany 2 939 2 639 2 952

austria 1 091 1 019 981

italy 2 808 2 557 1 951

France 1 2 244 2 003 2 247

southeast europe 2 981 972 933

southwest europe 3 1 434 1 497 1 310

rest of europe 1 939 1 283 1 616

rest of the world 1 486 1 454 1 575

unknown 3 3 4

total 22 755 21 159 22 217

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 2015, trips of four or

more overnight stays represented 65 % of the outbound and only 34 % of the inbound trips. On the oth-

er hand, trips with only one overnight stay accounted for 32 % of domestic and 8 % of trips abroad. In

2015, the main reasons for trips were, as in the previous year, holidays and recreation. They accounted

for 59 % of trips, and 69 % of these had a foreign destination. In second place came trips for the purpose

of visiting family and friends (25 %). Business trips accounted for 6 % of trips.

source: swiss Federal statistical office, travel behaviour 2015

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 2016, the Swiss hotel industry recorded a total of 35.5 million overnight stays, which was 0.3%

less than in the previous year. Swiss demand amounted to 16.2 million overnight stays, which cor-

responds to an increase of 1.2% compared with 2015. Foreign guests generated 19.3 million overnight

stays, i.e. a drop of 1.5%. Germany accounted for the strongest foreign demand with 3.7 million over-

night stays (-3.9% compared with 2015), followed by the United States with 1.8 million overnight stays

(+5.5%) and the United Kingdom with 1.6 million (-0.4 %). In terms of tourist regions, the Zurich re-

gion recorded the highest number of overnight stays in 2016 with 5.6 million units (+0.2%). It was fol-

lowed by Graubünden with 4.6 million overnight stays (-1.9%) and Valais with 3.7 million overnight

stays (-1.9%). In 2016, 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 2016

Monthly oVerniGht stays and chanGe in % coMPared to the saMe Period oF 2015

Overnight staysTotal

Change in %

Overnight stays Foreigners

Change in %

Overnight staysSwiss

Change in %

January 2 574 777 −6.9 1 306 485 −8.5 1 268 292 −5.2

February 3 085 026 −1.0 1 496 873 −4.9 1 588 153 3.0

March 3 166 213 6.0 1 662 444 3.0 1 503 769 9.5

april 2 268 587 −3.2 1 250 436 −3.0 1 018 151 −3.5

May 2 660 851 1.7 1 553 605 1.2 1 107 246 2.3

June 3 125 222 −2.8 1 837 730 −2.9 1 287 492 −2.8

July 4 070 731 −0.1 2 282 609 −1.6 1 788 122 1.9

august 4 095 863 −0.7 2 362 766 −2.5 1 733 097 2.0

september 3 392 208 0.9 1 830 443 0.6 1 561 765 1.4

october 2 764 619 2.9 1 383 108 0.8 1 381 511 5.0

november 1 878 653 0.6 1 002 630 0.6 876 023 0.7

december 2 449 826 −0.8 1 318 886 0.6 1 130 940 −2.3

entire year 35 532 576 −0.3 19 288 015 −1.5 16 244 561 1.2

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 2016Winter season 2015 / 2016

(November to April)Summer season 2016

(May to October)

total 35 532 576 15 430 096 20 109 494

switzerland 16 244 561 7 405 293 8 859 233

Foreign countries 19 288 015 8 024 803 11 250 261

europe total (excl. switzerland) 11 616 532 5 539 694 6 092 729

Germany 3 703 753 1 726 669 1 982 356

united Kingdom 1 1 633 232 801 418 844 045

France 1 244 607 618 400 620 665

italy 919 827 467 485 463 534

netherlands 584 359 264 721 324 355

Belgium 538 560 259 039 282 934

russia 323 614 183 406 139 401

nordic countries 2 459 188 223 837 234 824

spain 418 078 168 370 242 396

austria 385 084 155 932 229 717

other countries europe 1 406 230 670 417 728 502

america total 2 487 819 865 577 1 603 080

united states 1 834 500 604 128 1 217 023

canada 227 173 83 591 143 632

Brazil 201 340 90 503 106 479

other countries america 224 806 87 355 135 946

asia total 4 581 444 1 367 554 3 192 774

china (incl. hong Kong) 1 277 977 421 728 857 628

Gulf states 3 959 467 217 008 743 667

Japan 361 053 80 478 278 875

india 599 062 126 552 463 635

republic of Korea 339 473 110 936 226 111

other countries asia 1 044 412 410 852 622 858

africa total 278 463 141 421 149 707

australia, oceania total 323 757 110 557 211 971

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 18 244 37 931 2 830 1 797 4 627 46 38

Bern 16 530 32 319 2 194 2 720 4 914 52 45

Zurich 14 916 25 780 1 422 3 645 5 067 65 54

Valais 13 508 27 856 2 047 1 621 3 668 47 40

Vaud 9 953 18 845 1 271 1 525 2 796 53 42

Geneva 9 354 15 340 518 2 410 2 928 64 52

ticino 7 949 15 706 1 431 849 2 280 49 41

lucerne 6 649 12 467 689 1 333 2 022 53 45

st. Gallen 4 805 9 282 576 389 965 39 30

Basel-stadt 4 134 7 617 406 811 1 218 62 44

aargau 3 202 5 379 375 328 703 46 37

schwyz 2 075 4 070 369 179 548 42 38

thurgau 2 068 3 670 277 141 418 41 32

obwalden 2 052 4 227 250 363 614 51 42

Fribourg 1 999 4 107 282 163 445 41 31

solothurn 1 704 3 084 199 192 391 46 35

Basel-land 1 341 2 447 140 142 282 43 32

Zug 1 289 2 105 124 167 291 49 39

uri 1 240 2 559 105 139 244 37 29

neuchâtel 1 139 2 146 127 101 228 40 30

appenzell-ausserrhoden 857 1 575 93 30 123 30 23

Jura 835 1 711 88 19 106 25 18

nidwalden 787 1 682 103 112 215 47 37

Glarus 687 1 490 109 19 128 31 25

schaffhausen 645 1 267 85 71 156 46 35

appenzell-innerrhoden 563 1 768 134 22 156 46 27

total 128 523 246 432 16 245 19 288 35 533 51 42

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 18 244 37 931 2 830 1 797 4 627 46.2 37.7

Zurich region 17 381 29 895 1 667 3 955 5 622 63.0 51.8

Valais 13 508 27 856 2 047 1 621 3 668 47.1 39.8

lucerne / lake lucerne 12 242 24 017 1 451 2 071 3 522 49.4 41.7

Bernese oberland 11 433 23 085 1 511 2 121 3 631 53.4 46.7

lake Geneva region (Vaud) 9 953 18 845 1 271 1 525 2 796 52.5 41.6

eastern switzerland 9 372 18 570 1 250 646 1 896 38.9 29.5

Genf 9 354 15 340 518 2 410 2 928 63.5 52.3

ticino 7 949 15 706 1 431 849 2 280 48.7 41.1

Basel region 5 632 10 325 561 969 1 530 56.6 41.1

Bern region 3 958 7 145 543 515 1 058 52.4 41.9

Jura & three-lakes 3 955 7 499 467 287 754 38.4 28.5

aargau region 3 544 6 110 416 358 774 44.8 35.4

Fribourg region 1 999 4 107 282 163 445 40.7 30.5

total 128 523 246 432 16 245 19 288 35 533 51.3 41.6

communes

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

Zurich 8 009 13 990 613 2 344 2 956.7 70.1 57.9

Geneva 6 396 10 473 278 1 762 2 040.6 64.6 53.3

Basel 4 025 7 418 398 808 1 205.8 62.6 44.8

davos 3 168 6 187 446 352 798.1 47.9 41.0

Zermatt 3 163 6 247 562 686 1 247.9 65.2 59.5

lucerne 3 044 5 824 307 963 1 269.8 69.1 59.9

lausanne 2 728 4 784 359 472 830.8 59.5 47.5

st. Moritz 2 166 4 199 208 403 610.7 53.3 44.3

Bern 2 044 3 448 321 396 717.3 66.2 57.0

opfikon 1 972 3 194 193 527 720.5 71.1 61.7

lugano 1 689 3 173 230 289 519.5 54.5 46.0

interlaken 1 535 2 981 126 579 704.3 68.9 65.4

Grindelwald 1 341 2 871 165 352 516.7 58.9 54.0

other communes 87 244 171 642 12 039 9 355 21 394 44.8 35.8

total 128 523 246 432 16 245 19 288 35 533 51.3 41.6


supply in hotels and health establishments

YearSurveyed

establishmentsSurveyed

roomsSurveyed

bedsOpen

establishmentsAvailable

roomsAvailable

beds

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

2011 5 396 142 101 273 969 4 773 128 719 245 072

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

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

2011 16 228 987 35 486 256 2.2 51.6 41.9

size of hotels and health establishments

Size of establishment Open establishments in % Arrivals Overnight stays

0 to 10 beds 640 14.5 156 168 341 833

11 to 20 beds 922 20.9 614 868 1 254 585

21 to 50 beds 1 463 33.2 2 994 039 6 241 482

51 to 100 beds 842 19.1 4 584 041 9 571 950

101 to 150 beds 269 6.1 2 806 291 5 654 992

151 to 200 beds 114 2.6 1 476 670 3 231 071

201 to 300 beds 96 2.2 2 192 022 4 326 785

301 and more beds 66 1.5 2 653 833 4 909 878

total 4 411 100.0 17 477 932 35 532 576

1 number of room nights in per cent of the net room capacity2 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 6.8 million overnight stays. Domestic demand generated

4.2 million overnight stays, i.e. 61.1 % of the total overnight stays while foreign demand accounted

for 2.6 million overnight stays. In terms of foreign demand, German visitors took the top spot with

1.0 million overnight stays. In 2016, the Lake Geneva Region was the major region that registered the

highest number of overnight stays with 2.7 million, followed by Eastern Switzerland and Espace Mit-

telland (with 2.0 million and 1.1 million overnight stays respectively). In 2016, the average length of

stay in holiday accommodation was 6.7 nights.

supply and demand

Major regionHoliday homes

surveyed Beds surveyed Arrivals Overnight stays Duration of stay

lake Geneva region 15 799 81 764 412 932 2 701 760 6.5

eastern switzerland 9 243 42 842 277 860 2 038 531 7.3

espace Mittelland 4 279 20 282 179 341 1 131 113 6.3

ticino 2 234 9 563 61 994 441 095 7.1

central switzerland 1 499 7 501 69 586 432 274 6.2

Zurich 195 601 7 838 37 753 4.8

northwest switzerland 154 492 4 950 25 606 5.2

total 33 403 163 045 1 014 500 6 808 131 6.7

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 27 466 85 2 141 586 6 453 585 1126 114 32 11 615

Graubünden 6 193 56 1 228 482 4 058 508 631 82 15 7 259

Bernese oberland 2 74 20 628 167 1 824 254 295 75 1 3 340

ticino 0 21 12 228 68 956 95 160 36 15 1 591

lucerne / lake lucerne 0 21 103 143 48 774 92 126 17 3 1 327

lake Geneva region (Vaud) 6 54 18 198 91 489 85 104 11 6 1 062

eastern switzerland / liechtenstein 0 1 4 139 28 383 73 83 20 1 732

Jura & three-lakes 0 6 5 41 61 290 92 81 23 2 601

Fribourg region 0 3 0 31 19 129 24 34 4 1 245

Zurich region 0 8 1 37 4 144 0 17 2 5 218

Bern region 1 2 0 8 3 60 1 20 0 3 98

aargau region 0 0 0 22 0 45 0 12 0 1 80

Basel region 0 1 0 12 0 33 0 5 0 1 52

Geneva 0 0 1 11 0 8 0 6 0 1 27

total 42 850 305 4 867 1 557 15 646 1 809 2 700 384 87 28 247

awarded certificates 2006 – 2016

0

5 000

10 000

15 000

20 000

25 000

30 000

20162015201420132012201120102009200820072006

15 19517 099

21 663

25 117

14 728

18 705

26 500

18 102

28 247

18 027

23 227

as of 31.12.2016For 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 accounted for 5.3 million overnight stays in 2016. Domestic visitors gener-

ated 4.2 million overnight stays, i.e. 79.5 % of the total overnight stays while foreign demand accounted

for 1.1 million overnight stays. German visitors registered the greatest number of foreign overnight

stays (358 000 overnight stays). In 2016, Espace Mittelland and the Lake Geneva region were the major

regions that registered the highest number of overnight stays with 1.4 million, followed by Eastern

Switzerland (1.2 million overnight stays). In 2016, the average length of stay in collective accommoda-

tion was 2.6 nights.

supply and demand

Major regionEstablishments

surveyedBeds

surveyed ArrivalsOvernight

staysAverage duration

of stay

espace Mittelland 677 32 535 572 526 1 435 367 2.5

lake Geneva region 641 32 578 572 907 1 398 361 2.4

eastern switzerland 635 30 351 388 333 1 199 355 3.1

central switzerland 295 13 585 243 173 589 305 2.4

ticino 189 8 682 178 362 393 128 2.2

Zurich 80 3 344 67 812 158 137 2.3

northwest switzerland 44 2 133 39 418 96 457 2.4

total 2 561 123 208 2 062 531 5 270 111 2.6

source: Federal statistical office, supplementary accommodation statistics


youth hostels

The youth hostels in Switzerland recorded a total of 793 000 overnight stays in 2016, 2.6 % fewer than

in the previous year. At the same time, demand from Swiss guests rose by 1.3 % to 544 000 overnight

stays. Foreign guests, on the other hand, accounted for 10.0% fewer overnight stays in the youth hostels

than in the previous year, namely 249 000. The greatest foreign demand came from German guests, with

66 000 overnight stays (12.6 % fewer than in 2015). They were followed by guests from South Korea with

29 000 overnight stays (−10.1 %), and by guests from Great Britain with 17 000 overnight stays (−13.6 %).

The most popular tourism region in 2016 was again Grisons with 139 000 registered overnight stays,

0.8 % more than in the previous year. The second-highest number of overnight stays was recorded by the

Zurich region with 109 000 units (−1.2 %), the third-highest by the Bernese Oberland with 93 000 units

(−4.7 %). In 2016, the average length of stay for youth hostel guests in Switzerland was 2.2 nights. Swiss

guests spent 2.0 nights on average, while the figure for foreign guests was 1.9 nights. Among the tourism

regions, Grisons reported the longest average length of stay with 2.8 nights.

supply and demand

Tourist region

Surveyed establishments

Surveyedbeds

Arrivals

Overnight stays

Average duration of stay

Graubünden 8 1155 50 553 139 468 2.8

Zurich region 8 794 48 998 109 455 2.2

lucerne / lake lucerne 6 614 35 873 71 478 2.0

Bernese oberland 5 643 43 717 93 025 2.1

eastern switzerland 5 458 25 108 43 979 1.8

ticino 4 631 37 772 84 240 2.2

Valais 4 519 30 369 67 977 2.2

lake Geneva region (Vaud) 3 479 x x x

Basel region 2 312 x x x

Bern region 2 271 x x x

Fribourg region 2 161 x x x

Jura & three-lakes 2 158 x x x

total 51 6 195 359 902 793 008 2.2

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


campsites

In 2016, the campsites 1 recorded 2.8 million overnight stays representing an increase of 4.9 % com-

pared with the previous year. Swiss guests accounted for 1.8 million overnight stays, up 0.2 %. Foreign

guests generated 997 000 overnight stays, up 14.4 %. German guests accounted for 377 000 overnight

stays (+19.4 % compared with 2015), which corresponds to the highest absolute result among the

foreign countries. They were followed by visitors from the Netherlands with 224 000 overnight stays

(+22.4 %), France with 85 000 (+4.4 %) and the United Kingdom with 80 000 (+20.4 %). With a total of

659 000 overnight stays for 2016, Ticino ranks first among all tourist regions in terms of absolute over-

night stays and saw a 6.7 % increase compared with the previous year. Valais followed it with 351 000

overnight stays (−3.2 %). For Switzerland as a whole, the average length of stay was 2.9 nights in 2016.

Swiss guests spent an average of 3.0 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 5 662 106 764 350 508 3.3

Bernese oberland 51 3 046 104 018 314 287 3.0

Graubünden 44 3 852 90 975 275 649 3.0

lake Geneva region (Vaud) / Geneva 2 44 3 362 108 914 303 300 2.8

lucerne / lake lucerne 40 2 384 104 563 245 633 2.3

Jura & three-lakes 38 2 419 61 510 177 342 2.9

eastern switzerland 36 1 843 68 686 166 093 2.4

ticino 33 4 970 175 774 659 073 3.7

Zurich region 23 1 301 78 100 140 302 1.8

Fribourg region 13 710 23 212 54 978 2.4

aargau region 10 341 14 072 33 387 2.4

Bern region 9 820 25 364 55 500 2.2

Basel region 5 126 5 133 10 156 2.0

total 406 30 836 967 085 2 786 208 2.9

1 only campsites which are included in the swiss Business and enterprise register (Ber). note: the methodology for calculating the statistic of campsites has been reworked in 2010. More information on: www.tourismus.bfs.admin.ch (in German or French)

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

On the electronic reservation platform of Agritourism Switzerland (e-domizil) approximately 1000

reservations (+6 %) for holiday homes and apartments were booked for the 2016 travel period. Nev-

ertheless, this resulted in a 5 % decline in revenues as the guests spent just CHF 580.– (down CHF

68.– compared to the prior year) for their farm holidays.

Due to the reservations the guests made directly with the providers, total revenues of agritourism

remained unchanged at CHF 1.7 million. Since autumn 2016 rooms and group accommodations on

farms can now also be reserved online.

overnight stays and establishments

Tourist region Overnight stays 2016 1

eastern switzerland 10 887

espace Mittelland 6 364

lucerne / lake lucerne 4 864

Zurich region 1 904

Bern 1 564

aargau region 1 202

Graubünden 1 185

Bernese oberland 1 139

Jura & three-lakes 984

ticino 480

Valais 479

Basel region 320

lake Geneva region (Vaud) 116

total 31 488

number of establishments 286

1 data of e-domizilsource: agritourism switzerland


bed and breakfast

In 2016, a total of 171 854 guests stayed in 912 accommodations in Switzerland (2015: 168 062 guests in

911 accommodations). A total of 396 017 overnight stays were recorded (2015: 396 423 overnight stays).

The majority of overnight stays were guests from Switzerland: 210,000 (2015 204 000). Europe (exclud-

ing Switzerland) accounts for the next largest share: 149 814 overnight stays (2015: 149 990). The results

cannot be directly compared with those of previous years, as the number of hosts fluctuates annually

(entry and exit throughout the year).

supply and demand

Year Establishments 1 Rooms Beds ArrivalsOvernight stays Swiss

Overnight stays foreigners

Overnight stays total

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

2013 1 036 3 031 6 239 186 478 218 123 227 278 445 401

Tourist region

Overnight stays 2016

Overnight stays 2015

Change in %

Valais 47 937 51 669 −7,22

lucerne / lake lucerne 46 024 41 067 12,07

lake Geneva region (Vaud) 36 287 37 855 −4,14

Bernese oberland 34 071 33 623 1,33

region aargau 33 804 34 230 −1,24

ticino 33 105 31 362 5,56

Graubünden 32 620 22 615 44,24

Zurich region 28 285 29 996 −5,70

Bern region 26 906 30 355 −11,36

eastern switzerland 26 013 31 199 −16,62

Jura & three-lakes 18 648 19 324 −3,50

Basel region 14 634 13 582 7,75

Fribourg region 13 995 15 691 −10,81

Geneva 3 688 3 855 −4,33

total 396 017 396 423 −0,10

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

250 579 employees (2016)

8266 trainees in basic vocational education and training (2015)

29 072 hotel and restaurant establishments (2014)

26 780 Vat-taxable hotel and restaurant establishments (2014)

28.9 billion francs of Vat-taxable annual turnover in catering business and hotels (2014)

948.3 million francs paid in Vat (after pre-tax deduction) (2014)

or

8.7 % of the overall net Federal tax administration (Fta) receivables (2014)

With 250 579 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 8266 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 (2014) showed that there were

29 072 hospitality establishments in Switzerland. A survey of GastroSuisse members showed that

67.5 % of these were restaurants without overnight accommodation, 29.3 % were hotels with restau-

rants and 3.2 % were hotels without restaurants. The combined annual revenue of all hospitality estab-

lishments subject to VAT was around 28.9 billion francs. The hospitality industry makes a significant

contribution to VAT income. In 2014, for instance, the hospitality industry paid 948.3 million francs in

net VAT. The 29 072 hospitality establishments contributed a full 8.7 % of the Federal Tax Administra-

tion’s (FTA’s) total net tax receivables in 2014.

source: Gastrosuisse, industry report 2017

30 hotel and restaurant industry

sales development compared to same Quarter of the prior year

RestaurantsAccommodationHotel and restaurant industryin %

-12

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

201620152014201320122011201020092008

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

hotel and restauration industry (accommodation and restaurant):

change in sales compared to the prior year

1st quarter – 2.5 % 3rd quarter – 0.9 %

2nd quarter – 4.9 % 4th quarter –2.6 %


In the 1st quarter, revenue dropped by 2.5 % compared to the prior year. Also in the next three months,

a significant worsening was evident. In the 3rd quarter, the situation eased somewhat with a decline of

−0.9 %, which was only slightly negative. The negative trend continued in the final quarter.

accommodation:


1st quarter – 5.3 % 3rd quarter +0.5 %

2nd quarter – 2.1 % 4th quarter – 1.9 %



At the start of the year, a sharp decline of −5.3 % was observed in the hotel industry, compared to the

same quarter in the prior year. In the 2nd quarter, the situation eased somewhat. Revenue then rose

by 0.5 % in the 3rd quarter. In the final three months of 2016, the number of reservations dropped in

comparison to the prior year and, consequently, so did revenue (−1.9 %). Over several years, the ho-

tel industry has developed in such a way that an intensification of the downward trend in revenue is

clearly evident.

restaurants:


1st quarter – 0.9 % 3rd quarter – 1.7 %

2nd quarter – 6.5 % 4th quarter –3.0 %


In the restaurant industry, the revenue situation in the 1st quarter was significantly better than in the

hotel industry. However, the next quarter saw a slump in turnover, with −6.5 % compared to the prior

year. In the 3rd quarter, the situation eased somewhat. At the end of the year, demand was constantly

insufficient, with a revenue decrease of −3 %.

turnover per establishment

Annual turnover in CHF

Turnover per establishment in %

Restaurant Hotel with Restaurant

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

Hotel without Restaurant



The revenue figures vary considerably, depending on the type of establishment. In the lower rev-

enue categories, the percentage of restaurants without overnight accommodation and hotels without

restaurants is significantly larger. On the other hand, more hotels with restaurants earned higher

revenue.

The largest percentage of hotels without restaurants (16.5 %) is in the lowest revenue category. This

category accounts for 8.8 % of restaurants and 4 % of hotels with restaurants. In the middle category,

from 550 001 to 850 000 francs, the percentages of restaurants and hotels with restaurants are almost

identical (18.2 % and 18.3 %, respectively), while the percentage of hotels without restaurants is smaller

(13.9 %).

A larger-than-average portion of hotels with restaurants earn between 2 000 001 and 5 000 000 francs

(15.0 %). This portion is 7.6 % among restaurants and 8.9 % among hotels without restaurants.

an overview of important key ratios for the restaurant industry 2015

total turnover per operating day 2 529 chF

total turnover per employee 104 167 chF

total turnover per employee and operating day 396 chF

turnover per restaurant per seat 8 061 chF

turnover per restaurant per seat and operating day 33 chF

turnover from food preparation per seat 5 367 chF

turnover from food preparation per seat and operating day 20 chF


In the calendar year 2015, the average revenue in a restaurant was 2529 francs per day of operation. To

this figure, each employed person contributed 396 francs per day, leading to revenue of 104 167 francs

per person over an average 263 days of operation. The revenue per seat per day of operation was 33

francs, of which 20 francs were accounted for by kitchen services.

More information can be found in the industry report ‘Branchenspiegel 2017’, published by GastroSui-

sse. This can be obtained from GastroSuisse (tel. 0848 377 111) for 35 francs.


business size: number of seats per region

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

201 and more seats

101 to 200 seats

76 to 100 seats

51 to 75 seats

26 to 50 seats

1 to 25 seats

Portion of businesses in %

Urban Tourist regionRural


turnover mix

In 2015, an average restaurant earned 62.5 % of its revenue with kitchen services, less than in the prior

year. At 21.4 %, the portion accounted for by alcoholic beverages remained in second place. The sale

of coffee, tea and mineral water made up 16.1 %. As a trend, a slight shift in revenue from food to drink

can be seen.


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 – 2015

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

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

20152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200019901980197019601950

in millions of travellers

nuMBer oF PassenGers Per carrier 2015 in % oF total transPorts

Private road transportation

Public transportation road

Public transportation railways

Ship travel / aerial cableways

16,2%

72,9%

8,6%

2,3%

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 28 425

kilometres. 24 012 stopping points are served. In 2016, 2.41 million passengers made use of a half-fare

card, 470 040 persons held a general abonnement valid throughout the country and over 1.3 million

persons obtained a combined season ticket in one of the 19 regional tariff networks.

one oF the densest railWay netWorKs in the World

The railroad network of Switzerland totals 5 323 kilometres. 3 033 kilometres are part of the Swiss

Federal Railways network. From Monday to Friday, the Swiss railways (SBB) operate around 6 260

passenger trains or 407 000 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 2016, Swiss Federal Railways carried 1.25 million passengers per day. The

average journey distance mounted to 41 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 2015, 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 882 PostBus routes operate a network of over 12 000 kilometres. 2 401 PostBus employees, with an

additional 1 697 drivers from PostBus operators, conveyed almost 152 million passengers with 2 242

Postbuses. The vehicles covered an overall distance of 117.4 million kilometers.

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


navigation: active lake and river cruising in switzerland

In 2016 the 16 companies joined together in the Association of Swiss Navigation Companies (ASNC)

transported a total of 12.25 million passengers with 148 boats. This represents a decrease of 50 000

passengers compared to the prior year.

Lake Lucerne, with 2.41 million passengers, lead the ranking based on the number of passengers,

followed by the Lake Geneva with 2.29 million passengers and the Lake Zurich Horgen–Meilen ferry

with 2.01 million passengers and Lake Zurich (incl. Limmat River) with 1.66 million passengers.

In distance travelled, the performance rised by 18 000 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 52 million air passengers

In 2016, Switzerland’s airports recorded some 468 226 flight movements (take-offs and landings, only

schedule and charter flights), 1.57 % more than in 2015. Of the 51.86 million passengers taking off

from or landing in Switzerland, about 65 016 used Switzerland as a transit station.

FliGht MoVeMents and PassenGers

Airport

Movements

Local and transfer passengers

Transitpassengers

Totalpassengers

Zurich Kloten 235 931 27 630 699 31 828 27 662 527

Genève cointrin 148 185 16 444 335 14 589 16 458 924

Basel Mulhouse 68 672 7 287 084 18 295 7 305 379

Bern Belp 7 636 167 292 304 167 596

lugano agno 5 187 167 686 0 167 686

st. Gallen altenrhein 2 139 98 979 0 98 979

sion 476 4 455 0 4 455

total 468 226 51 800 530 65 016 51 865 546

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 2015, there were 2 450 licensed facilities in Switzerland. A third of these are T-bars.

Rope tows and conveyors account for another third and approximately 20 % are continuously oper-

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

– Throughout Switzerland, cableways hire almost 4 366 full-time employees and almost 10 934 sea-

sonal workers in transport operations alone.

– In its core business of passenger transport, Swiss cableways achieved in the 2015 /16 winter season

the sum of CHF 646 millions. Additional revenue of CHF 369 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 60 % of all passenger transports’ income in Switzerland.

change in winter revenue in switzerland (in 1000)

0

200 000

400 000

600 000

800 000

1000 000

1200 000

OtherFood service industryPassenger transportation

2015/16*2014/152013/142012/132011/122010/112009/102008/092007/08

in CHF

* the figures for the ’Food service industry‘ and ’other‘ segments are no longer reported. source: swiss cableways (scW), Facts and numbers in favour of swiss cableways industry 2016; laurent Vanat, season balance 2015 /16

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

2015/162014/152013/142012/132011/122010/112009/102008/092007/082006/072005/06

source: swiss cableways (scW), Facts and numbers in favour of swiss cableways industry 2016; laurent Vanat, season balance 2015 /16

seasonal distribution of passenger transport income

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

Winter is the most important season in Graubünden with a quota of 93 %, whereas summer and

winter account for almost equal shares in Ticino. In Switzerland as a whole, the winter quota is 76 %.

Valais and Graubünden generate by far the largest income from passenger transport. In absolute

figures, the 7 % summer quota in Graubünden (CHF 16.16 million) still represents significantly more

income than the 54 % summer quota in Ticino (CHF 6.51 million).

source: swiss cableways (scW), Facts and numbers in favour of swiss cableways industry 2016

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. SwitzerlandMobility links these routes with public

transportation and a wide variety of services in the leisure and tourism industry. The supporting body

of the network is the SwitzerlandMobility Foundation.

switzerlandmobility route network

National routes Regional routes Local routes Number of kilometres

hiking 7 63 287 12 000

cycling 9 55 68 12 000

Mountain biking 3 16 192 9 000

skating 3 13 2 1 000

canoeing 1 8 23 350

total 23 155 572 34 350

status as of 31.12.2016

oVerVieW MaP oF national routes

HikingCyclingMountain bikingSkatingCanoeing

source: 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 over 10.2 million in 2016.

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 680 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 2002 – 2016

0

100 000

200 000

300 000

400 000

500 000

201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002

23

6

10

1214 14

1516

18 18 18

Number of slowUp-events

19 18 19

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 700 sug-

gestions 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 19 349 3 770 11 087

espace Mittelland 15 284 4 659 2 639

lake Geneva region 12 542 2 783 3 554

central switzerland 8 204 2 263 3 204

ticino 4 366 612 3 485

Zurich 2 980 1 003 12

northwest switzerland 2 726 932 7

total 65 451 16 022 23 988

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 2017) 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, new

national park projects have been developing. The Parco Nazionale del Locarnese TI is currently being

created (candidate). However, the second candidate – the Parc Adula GR/TI – was rejected in a vote

held in November 2016.

In addition to the national parks, Switzerland has 14 regional nature parks and one nature discovery

park that meet the requirements of the Parks Ordinance (ParkO) to the NCHA. There are also the Jo-

rat Nature Discovery Park project in the Canton of Vaud and the Schaffhausen Regional Nature Park,

which was voted on in late 2016 but is not yet in operation.

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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17



swiss ski schools

In over 150 Swiss ski schools, approximately 4 000 ski, snowboard, telemark and nordic instructors are

engaged. During the high season, as many as 7 000 teach in these schools that offer skiing, snow-

board, nordic and telemark lessons for both children and adults. On request, there are also a number

of other sportive and comprehensive activities available to guests.

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

1 status as of May 2017source: sWiss snoWsPorts

breakdown of group and private lessons

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%Private lessons

Group lessons

2016/172015/16

Up-to-date figures for the season 2016/2017 will be available at www.snowsports.ch as of August 2017.

These will additionally be published in the annual report.

Sold lessons (hours)

3 000 000

3 500 000

4 000 000

4 500 000

5 000 000

16/1715/1614/1513/1412/1311/1210/1109/1008/0907/0806/0705/06

47

formal educationvocational education and training

federal proficiency certificate

Hotel and restaurant

Certificates of qualification issued 2016 2015

Apprentices hired 2016 2015

hotel- und Gastrofachmann / -frau 16 18 23 18

hotelfachmann/-frau eFZ 307 306 315 328

Koch/Köchin eFZ 1 463 1 537 1 626 1 750

restaurationsfachmann/-frau eFZ 553 603 566 589

systemgastronomiefachmann/-frau eFZ 44 – 62 58

Transport services

Matrose/Matrosin der Binnenschifffahrt eFZ 11 13 10 13

seilbahn-Mechatroniker/in eFZ 23 28 35 30

Fachmann/-frau öffentlicher Verkehr eFZ – – 70 34

Economy and administration

Kaufmann/-frau eFZ B

hotel-Gastro-tourismus 47 45 7 10

Öffentlicher Verkehr 29 23 3 3

reisebüro 8 7 3 3

transport 12 12 6 11

Kaufmann/-frau eFZ e

hotel-Gastro-tourismus 188 185 140 165

Öffentlicher Verkehr 289 277 289 341

reisebüro 153 168 132 149

transport 20 21 21 35

federal certificate (bfc)

Hotel and restaurant

hotellerieangestellte/r eBa 28 30 33 25

Küchenangestellte/r eBa 299 289 364 340

restaurationsangestellte/r eBa 96 104 147 128

seilbahner/in eBa 4 8 7 6

source: swiss Federal statistical office

48 ForMal education

higher vocational education and training: final exams

1

federal certificates Men2015

Women Total2014Total

2013Total

Bereichsleiter/-in hotellerie-hauswirtschaft 6 66 72 81 74

Bereichsleiter/-in restauration 4 27 31 30 30

Bergführer/-in 22 1 23 20 25

cabin crew Member 9 38 47 60 47

chef de réception 0 0 0 13 14

chefkoch / chefköchin 89 22 111 132 98

Fachmann/-frau im Pisten und rettungsdienst 24 1 25 0 2

Gastro-Betriebsleiter/-in 49 28 77 68 62

schneesportlehrer/-in 92 22 114 133 121

seilbahnfachmann/-frau 12 0 12 41 –

tourismus-assistent/-in 6 38 44 34 47

Wanderleiter/-in 2 3 5 46 22

federal diplomas

Manager/-in öffentlicher Verkehr 0 0 0 17 15

Gastro-unternehmer/-in 12 5 17 12 13

Küchenchef/-in 4 0 4 31 6

leiter/-in Gemeinschaftsgastronomie 1 0 1 7 –

leiter/-in hotellerie – hauswirtschaft 0 0 0 3 –

restaurationsleiter/-in 0 0 0 4 1

Manager/-in Gesundheitstourismus und Bewegung 1 0 1 10 –

seilbahnmanager/-in 3 0 3 – –

diploma of colleges

hauswirtschaftliche Betriebsleitung 2 31 33 23 31

hotellerie + Gastronomie 172 245 417 462 436

tourismus 39 134 173 206 220

bachelor of universities of applied sciences Men2015

Women Total2014Total

2013 Total

hotel sector 223 321 544 504 450

tourism sector 42 149 191 164 200

1 the figures for 2016 were not available at the time of printing.source: swiss Federal statistical office

49

internationaltourist arrivals

Demand for international tourism remained robust in 2016 despite challenges. International tourist

arrivals grew by 3.9 % to reach a total of 1.235 billion, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism

Barometer. Some 46 million more tourists (overnight visitors) travelled internationally last year com-

pared to 2015.

2016 was the seventh consecutive year of sustained growth following the 2009 global economic and

financial crisis. A comparable sequence of uninterrupted solid growth has not been recorded since the

1960s. As a result, 300 million more international tourists travelled the world in 2016 as compared to

the pre-crisis record in 2008.

International arrivals in million2016 1 2015

Change in %2016 1/15 2015 /14

europe 619.7 607.5 2.0 4.7

northern europe 79.7 75.4 5.7 6.5

Western europe 179.6 180.3 −0.4 3.4

central / eastern europe 131.8 126.4 4.3 5.1

southern / Mediter. europe 228.6 225.5 1.4 4.9

asia and pacific 302.9 279.3 8.4 5.6

north-east asia 153.9 142.1 8.3 4.3

south-east asia 113.3 104.7 8.3 7.5

oceania 15.6 14.3 9.7 7.6

south asia 20.0 18.3 9.4 4.4

americas 200.9 192.7 4.3 6.0

north america 132.2 127.6 3.6 5.5

caribbean 25.1 24.1 4.3 8.1

central america 10.9 10.2 6.1 6.8

south america 32.7 30.8 6.3 5.9

africa 58.2 53.8 8.1 −2.5

north africa 18.5 18.0 3.0 −12.0

subsaharan africa 39.6 35.8 10.7 3.0

middle east 53.6 55.9 −4.1 0.8

world 1 235 1 189 3.9 4.6

1 estimatesource: World tourism organization (unWto)

50 international

Rank Country of destinationInternational arrivals in million

2015 2014Change in %

2015 1/14 2014/13

1 France 84.5 83.7 0.9 0.1

2 united states 77.5 75.0 3.3 7.2

3 spain 68.5 64.9 5.5 7.0

4 china 56.9 55.6 2.3 −0.1

5 italy 50.7 48.6 4.4 1.8

6 turkey 39.5 39.8 −0.8 5.3

7 Germany 35.0 33.0 6.0 4.6

8 united Kingdom 34.4 32.6 5.6 5.0

9 Mexico 32.1 29.3 9.4 21.5

10 russia 31.3 29.8 5.0 5.3

36 switzerland 9.3 9.2 1.6 2.1

Rank Country of destination

International tourism receipts in billion US-$

2015 2014

Change in %based on local currency

2015 1/14 2014/13

1 united states 204.5 191.3 6.9 7.8

2 china 114.1 105.4 8.3 n.a.

3 spain 56.5 65.1 3.8 3.9

4 France 45.9 58.1 −5.4 2.8

5 united Kingdom 45.5 46.5 5.2 6.2

6 thailand 44.6 38.4 23.0 −2.7

7 italy 39.4 45.5 3.8 3.6

8 Germany 36.9 43.3 1.9 4.9

9 hong Kong (china) 36.2 38.4 −5.8 −1.5

10 Macao (china) 31.5 42.7 −26.3 −1.0

19 switzerland 16.4 17.8 −3.4 4.9

1 estimatesource: World tourism organization (unWto)

top destinations

51

Quality promotionQuality programme of swiss tourism

The Quality Programme enables businesses engaged in the tourism sector to examine,

secure and specifically optimise the quality of services. The three-level programme is

supported by eleven industry organisations.

Quality labels awarded

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

201620152014201320122011

Level IIILevel IILevel I Total

Since 1998 a total of 11 949 individuals have been trained and 8 587 quality labels have

been awarded. Compared to 2015, the Fribourg region reported the largest increase in

current Q-labels (+6.45 %), while public transportation (+5.26 %) and Leisure/Culture

(3.28 %) were the industries with the highest growth.

labels per industry

Industry Labels in % Industry Labels in %

hotel industry 180 41.10 supplementary accommodation 37 8.45

Gastronomy 77 17.58 snow schools 17 3.88

tourism organisations 45 10.27 other 82 18.72

total 438 100.00

labels per region

source: swiss tourism Federation, status as of 31.12.2016

0 – 2021– 5051– 75

58

27

48

40

48

58 28

32

22

3

1113

21

3

2

3

5

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 2016, 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 2016 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 (new) 5 Bellwald 6 crans-Montana (new) 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 (new) 25 Zuoz (new)

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


classification of holiday apartmentsand guest rooms

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 2016

80

11 615

1591

7259

732

27

1062245

3340

1327

218

98

601

0 – 100 101 – 10001001 – 3000

3001 – 12 000

52

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

other labels

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 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012

certified companies 56 57 55 53 59

source: ibex fairstay


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 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012


source: safety in adventures

eu environmental label for lodging establishments

The EU environmental label for lodging establishments is the only environmental cer-

tificate 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 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012


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.agrotourismus.ch, [email protected].

umbrella organisation for the marketing and coordination of agritourist services in switzerland with around 300 members.

association of postgraduate hoteliers-restaurateurs shv/hotelmanager hf-nds

secretariat, P.o. Box 42, 8880 Walenstadt, 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.

nachdiplomstudium hF-nds’ of hotelleriesuisse.

association of swiss tourism managers (astm)

c/o Fst, P.o. Box, 3001 Bern, phone +41 (0)31 307 47 43, fax +41 (0)31 307 47 48, 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 and canoeing.

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

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.park.swiss/en, [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.schweizer-

skischule.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].

an organisation that promotes social tourism and the promotion of holidays, travel and leisure-time activities, particularly in

switzerland. it‘s core business is the issuance of payment instruments and the provision of holiday offerings.

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 etourism, monitoring and management

tools in tourism, destination management, sustainable tourism, market research as well as feasibility and impact studies.

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

comercialstrasse 22, 7000 chur, phone +41 (0)81 286 39 16, fax +41 (0)81 286 39 49, www.itf.ch, [email protected].

Bsc and Msc study programmes and further education (cas, das, Mas, eMBa) in tourism and leisure management.

applied research and consultancy, taking into account sustainable development in the areas of destination management and

development, tourist infrastructure and e-tourism.

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)

capitán haya 42, 28020 Madrid, spain, phone +34 91 567 81 00, fax +34 91 571 37 33, www.unwto.org, [email protected].

Fsc-label

swiss tourism in figures 2016 structure and …...2016 2 2015 1 2014 expenditure of swiss tourists...

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