Covid-19: Switzerland sees record drop in overnight hotel stays
The Swiss hotel sector registered a 40% drop in overnight stays in 2020 compared with 2019. Foreign demand fell by 66% as tourists stayed away due to the pandemic, latest statistics show.
“The exceptional context of Covid–19 explains this unprecedented fall at a level not seen since the end of the 1950s,” said the Swiss Federal Statistical Office in a statement on FridayExternal link.
Swiss demand fell less drastically (–8.6%) to 16.4 million overnight stays. Overall, the sector recorded 23.7 million overnight stays for 2020.
Switzerland Tourism, the country’s national tourism organisation, called 2020 its “Annus Horribilis”. “The year will stay in the tourism sector’s mind as the biggest challenge since the Second World War,” it said in a statementExternal link to accompany its media conference on the situation on Friday.
It said the industry had endured months-long closures of businesses, very few European guests (6 million/-51%), and hardly any overseas tourists. The number of Swiss residents on staycation – the summer months were particularly popular in the mountains – was not able to counter this, it added.
Swiss cities suffered in particular, with popular destinations Zurich and Geneva recording two-thirds drops in overnight stays during summer.
Switzerland went into lockdown over spring 2020 and eased restrictions over the summer, before tightening them in late autumn as a second coronavirus wave rolled over the country. It is currently in a semi-shutdown with restaurants likely closed until April. Shops and museums could open March 1 under national plans. Ski resorts are open.
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