The Blue Lake in Arolla, southwestern Switzerland
Keystone
Switzerland Tourism has welcomed next month’s re-opening of borders with France, Germany and Austria. It believes the country’s reputation for cleanliness and tidiness could be a selling point once the Covid-19 pandemic dies down.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/ts
Português
pt
Imagem ‘limpa e segura’ pode impulsionar turismo suíço
“What doesn’t seem very sexy in normal times can be a big plus in times of crisis,” said Urs Eberhard, deputy director of Switzerland TourismExternal link, in an interview with news agency Keystone-ATS on Thursday.
Asked whether guests should wear protective face masks in Swiss hotels, Eberhard said Switzerland has a “very strong” concept of protection against coronavirus – for hotels, restaurants and tourist transport – which the organisation plans to publish on its website to inform guests and “create trust”.
More
More
Pandemic could cost Swiss tourism sector CHF6 billion
This content was published on
The coronavirus pandemic means ski resorts, hotels and restaurants are closed or at a standstill and jobs are at risk.
Eberhard said it was important that Switzerland and its neighbours now coordinate their protection measures. He also welcomed the recommendation made on Wednesday by the European Commission to the Schengen statesExternal link to re-open their internal borders. He saw this as a “signal” for tourism.
No cut-price offers
Nevertheless, he acknowledged that it might take time for foreign travellers to return.
“Initially, we’re relying above all on domestic customers. One can’t underestimate the fact that in times of crisis people need to hide themselves away,” Eberhard said. “Many will therefore spend their holidays in their own country.”
But “sooner or later” people will feel the need to travel, and foreign tourists should therefore return “in the medium term”.
As for non-European visitors, it was difficult to say when they will return, according to Eberhard. “First of all, the external borders of the Schengen area will have to be re-opened.”
But he said one thing was certain: Switzerland would “not make any offers at cut-rate prices”.
“Rather, we could use this new beginning to convince people to stay with us longer. This would also increase added value,” he said.
External Content
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Almost finished… We need to confirm your email address. To complete the subscription process, please click the link in the email we just sent you.
More
More
Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland
This content was published on
An overview of the latest Covid-related information in the Alpine nation.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
Precious archaeological vases and coins returned to Italian museum
This content was published on
The Italian authorities have recovered over 2,500 precious ancient coins, vases and small sculptures that had been illegally dug up and sold in Switzerland, Eurojust announced on Monday.
PrimeEnergy Cleantech declared bankrupt by Swiss authorities
This content was published on
PrimeEnergy Cleantech has been officially declared bankrupt, the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SOGC) reported on Monday.
This content was published on
The consumption of antibiotics has risen in Switzerland since the Covid-19 pandemic. However, compared to other European countries the Alpine country has one of the lowest levels of antibiotic usage.
Swiss financial watchdog foresees greater uncertainty due to geopolitics
This content was published on
The Swiss financial sector will face greater uncertainty due to the numerous geopolitical conflicts around the world, warns the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
Swiss museums to mark centenary of death of painter Félix Vallotton
This content was published on
Swiss museums will celebrate the centenary of the death of the artist Félix Vallotton (1865-1925) next year. A major retrospective is planned in Lausanne, his birthplace, in autumn.
Russian mission installs more ‘spy’ antennas in Geneva, Swiss TV report claims
This content was published on
Russian spies are strengthening their presence in Geneva, according to a report by Swiss public television, RTS. Russian officials have placed new satellite dishes on their diplomatic buildings without authorisation.
This content was published on
Switzerland should join NATO, as in the future it cannot rely on its long-standing tradition of neutrality for its defence, John Bolton, Donald Trump's former national security adviser, declared in an interview on Sunday.
This content was published on
A demonstration was held in Geneva on Sunday calling for an immediate end to the war in Ukraine. Around 50 Russians took part in the gathering outside the UN building.
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
Swiss tourism industry struggling for survival
This content was published on
In an interview with the Schweiz am Wochenende newspaperExternal link, Nydegger referred to a survey of 4,000 companies in the tourism sector. Some 23% of respondents feared that they would not come through the pandemic crisis unscathed. It is still not known when Swiss borders will be fully opened with other countries, although June 8…
Swiss to re-open borders with neighbouring countries
This content was published on
Switzerland plans to re-open its borders with Germany, France and Austria as part of a gradual loosening of curbs over the coronavirus pandemic.
Economic cost of pandemic will be enormous: SNB chief
This content was published on
In two newspaper interviews on Sunday, Jordan warned of significant job losses and an erosion of prosperity in the wake of the pandemic. The economy is currently operating at between 70% to 80% of normal levels, he told the SonntagsZeitungExternal link. “Many people may not yet be able to imagine what these numbers mean for prosperity…
Swiss tourism numbers crash as jobless figures rise
This content was published on
The dramatic downturn was expected due to the government-imposed lockdown and border restrictions. The figures, released on Thursday, show that Swiss residents had also shunned hotels in their own country, having been urged to stay at home during the usually busy Easter weekend. The number of foreign tourists staying at Swiss hotels during March plummeted…
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.