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Much higher energy prices and the threat of recession abroad are depressing sentiment in the tourism industry. However, KOF expects to see growth in overnight stays thanks to the ongoing recovery from the pandemic and the strength of domestic tourism.

The number of international tourist arrivals in the first eight months of this year was 70 per cent lower than it had been before the coronavirus crisis. Although demand in Europe partially recovered during the summer months, rising infection rates are slowing down this recovery. However, Switzerland is not in a bad position when compared internationally: thanks to the strength of its domestic tourism, it has lost fewer overnight stays than other countries.

A boom in the cities, but stagnation in the mountains: Swiss tourism has developed very unevenly in recent years in geographical terms. A glance at the data shows that this is due to domestic tourists. The proportion of overnight stays spent by them in Swiss cities has been increasing at an above-average rate.

The number of overnight stays by visitors from the USA increased by more than 10% last winter. The trend of the past few years is therefore continuing. Lucerne, Bern and the mountain regions, in particular, are feeling the benefits.  

Following an extended lean period, the Swiss tourism sector has the wind in its sails again. The main reason for this is the fall in relative prices, in particular compared to Austria.

The exchange rate between the CHF Swiss franc and other currencies plays a central role in terms of the development of Swiss tourism. However, a new study conducted by KOF shows that its impact varies significantly depending on the region.

Boom in Chinese tourism. The country has become the most important market of origin for the international tourism sector in terms of spending by tourists. Chinese visitors are also becoming increasingly important for the Swiss tourist regions, a trend which is also expected to continue into the coming months, as is shown by the most recent KOF Tourism Forecast commissioned by the SECO.

KOF publishes its Forecasts for Swiss Tourism twice a year. The latest study, which also contains structural analysis of the significance of various accommodation categories, including classic hotels, non-hotel accommodation and Airbnb as separate categories, shows that Airbnb is gaining ground in city destinations and regions with large numbers of holiday apartments.