In all, 14.6 million overnight stays were recorded in Swiss hotels and other accommodation for the November 2021-April 2022 period, the Federal Statistical Office reportedExternal link on Tuesday.
This represents a 54% (+5.1 million) increase compared with the 2020/2021 winter season.
Foreign guests returned to Switzerland in large numbers last winter, representing a 197% increase or +3.7 million more overnight stays than the previous winter season. The total number rose to 5.6 million. Foreign visitors came mostly from Germany, Britain, France, the United States, Italy and the Netherlands.
During the 2020/2021 winter season, strict pandemic travel restrictions prevented foreign travellers from entering Switzerland.
The statistics office said domestic demand had also gone up last winter by 18.9%, or +1.4 million additional overnight stays, taking the total to nine million which represents a new record.
All mountain regions saw more visitors. Overnight stays in the Bernese Oberland rose by 47%, while Valais (+41%) and Graubünden (32%) also witnessed big increases.
City breaks were also popular last winter. Overnight stays were up in Geneva (+189%), Zurich (+152%) and Basel (112%).
Overnight stays in the Swiss Alps for the 2021/2021 winter season were higher than for the comparable period in 2019/2020 before the pandemic, the office said. However, overnight stays for cities are still down: -7.6% (Basel region) and -6.1% (Zurich region).
Popular Stories
More
Workplace Switzerland
Meet the foreigners who make up a quarter of the Swiss population
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
Switzerland to host Ukraine mine action conference in October
This content was published on
Together with Ukraine, Switzerland is organising the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC2024) in Lausanne on October 17 and 18.
Switzerland revises pension expenditure downwards by billions
This content was published on
The Swiss government has corrected downwards the projected expenditure on old-age and survivor insurance in 2033 by CHF2.5 billion ($2.66 billion).
Excess mortality rate post-Covid could persist until 2033
This content was published on
According to a report by reinsurer Swiss Re, many countries are still experiencing excess mortality following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Swiss Army ends clean-up operation in storm-hit Maggia Valley
This content was published on
The Swiss Armed Forces completed 76 flight hours during the clean-up operation following the storm in the Maggia Valley in Ticino at the end of June.
Swiss cruise ship stranded on Danube River after heavy rains
This content was published on
Passengers on a Swiss river-cruise ship stranded on the Danube following heavy rainfall are still unable to disembark in Vienna due to flooding.
Golden eagles get better at flying over time, say Swiss researchers
This content was published on
Golden eagles perfect their flight as they age and learn to make better use of air currents, says a new study co-produced by Swiss researchers.
This content was published on
Public libraries in Switzerland recorded 46.3 million admissions last year, 7.4 million more than in 2022, says the Federal Statistical Office.
Swiss conservative party seeks referendum against Eurovision contest
This content was published on
The Swiss Federal Democratic Union is launching a referendum to prevent the Eurovision Song Contest from taking place in Basel next year.
Switzerland nabs 15 medals at WorldSkills championship
This content was published on
Swiss professionals have won 15 medals at the WorldSkills Championships in Lyon, France for the best finish by a European nation.
This content was published on
Some Swiss ski regions have reported a big rush as people headed to the slopes on Saturday after heavy snow in large parts of the country.
This content was published on
In the last 50 years, the winter snow season has shrunk by an average of 22 to 34 days in Alpine areas below 2,000 metres.
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.