Swiss hotels registered 61,214 overnight stays by Russian tourists as of the end of July, according to market data from the organisation Switzerland Tourism. In 2022, Switzerland issued over 9,000 visas to Russian citizens, according to the newspaper report. Their average stay in Swiss hotels is just over three nights – longer than any other tourist group.
Yet the local tourism industry is distancing itself from the once-courted market. The Switzerland Travel Centre, the largest organiser of trips to Switzerland, no longer accepts bookings from Russia. But wealthy Russians still manage to book vacations in Switzerland, despite sanctions, according to the newspaper.
The Swiss government decided on Friday to stop issuing facilitated visas for Russian nationals. The step brought Swiss visa rules in line with the European Union.
Switzerland has consistently followed the bloc’s lead when it comes to implementing sanctions and punitive measures against Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Swiss banks have long been a haven for Russian wealth and many Russian companies had a foothold in the Alpine nation.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
The Swiss Alps, a new Eldorado for real estate developers
Moderate price growth expected for Swiss real estate market
This content was published on
Swiss property prices rose modestly in 2024, according to a quarterly barometer - a trend that is expected to remain this year.
Romeo Lacher steps down at Julius Bär and Swiss National Bank
This content was published on
Romeo Lacher will not stand for re-election as Julius Bär chair and will also step down from his role at the Swiss central bank this year.
Alpiq CEO sees security of supply at risk without EU treaty
This content was published on
The security of Switzerland’s future electricity supply is at risk unless a deal with the European Union can be concluded, warns a Swiss energy company boss.
This content was published on
Despite selling more than ten million purely battery-powered vehicles worldwide last year, growth in the e-car market is slowing.
Switzerland marks liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp
This content was published on
Switzerland's President travels to Poland to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Russian culture and language lessons scrapped over Z-symbol
This content was published on
A Russian cultural association can no longer teach in Switzerland after one of its members displayed the controversial Z-symbol at an Alpine festival.
Moscow hoped Switzerland would remain ‘haven for Russian business’
This content was published on
Russia “really hadn’t anticipated” Switzerland aligning itself with EU sanctions, according to a former Russian diplomat to the UN in Geneva.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.