Zermatt unfazed by currency crisis

While some ski resorts are turning to discounts to attract guests, Zermatt is focusing on domestic and Asian guests to keep the losses at bay. (SRF/swissinfo)

Several hundred ski school participants gather every day in Zermatt’s main square, before heading off with their instructors to the slopes. The strong franc has meant fewer tourists are coming from EU countries.

In order to compensate the losses, Zermatt local tourism operators are increasingly targeting domestic customers, as well as tourists from Asia. Last year approximately 150,000 overnight stays were booked by Asian guests in Zermatt. They are less affected by the current currency exchange rate. But they still think that Switzerland is expensive. 

Hotels are also costly. While in other regions many hotels are offering discounts to attract guests, Zermatt is sticking to its high prices. Zermatt hoteliers want to concentrate more on the domestic market. Already now almost half of the accommodation is booked by Swiss guests.