The Swiss tourism industry will take five years to recover from the coronavirus pandemic with around a quarter of companies in the sector fearing for their future. However, Martin Nydegger, head of Switzerland Tourism, believes something can still be salvaged for the industry this year.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
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 has been earmarked as the start of the third phase of the plan to return the country to normality.
“2020 will be a terrible year. But not everything is lost. January and February were very good months. Now we have had a quarter that was terrible. We have six months from June to save what can be saved,” Nydegger said.
Towns and cities were hit worse than alpine destinations from the downturn in bookings in the last few weeks.
The government has handed Switzerland Tourism CHF40 million ($41 million) to help boost the industry, which has adopted the slogan “Dream now – travel later” to convince Swiss people to take their holidays in their own country.
When asked how long it will take for the industry to recover, Nydegger said: “I fear it will take five years rather than three. The cuts are so deep. In a crises, the impact is always the same: the deterioration is fast and the recovery slow.”
More
More
Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland
This content was published on
An overview of the latest Covid-related information in the Alpine nation.
Switzerland abstains from vote on Palestinian bid for full UN membership
This content was published on
On Friday, Switzerland abstained from the vote at the General Assembly on granting the Palestinians new rights at the United Nations (UN).
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
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 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…
Hit hard by coronavirus, Swiss hotels weigh survival options
This content was published on
With ski resorts closed and travel effectively banned, hotel bookings dropped by 90% in April, leaving the sector in a difficult position.
Coronavirus exit plans for tourist industry mooted
This content was published on
Hopes have been raised of a re-opening of tourist facilities, including restaurants, in June as part of the government’s Covid-19 exit strategy.
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.