During the pandemic, staycations in the Alpine country or holidays in neighbouring countries were extremely popular among Swiss residents. But this is no longer the case and “people want to take the plane again”, Andi Restle, who has been running the tour operator ITS Coop Travel for the past 16 years, told Sonntagszeitung on Sunday.
Business has definitely picked up, with holidaymakers feeling a “huge need to catch up”, he said.
After two difficult years, Restle said he was initially hoping 2022 sales would be around 75% of the 2019 level. “But by the end of the year we should be at 85%,” he said.
More
More
Fasten your seatbelt: aviation emissions are about to take off again
This content was published on
After two years of pandemic restrictions, demand for flights is soaring.
For Swiss package tour operators, southern Turkey was the most popular destination in 2022, followed by Majorca, Crete, Rhodes, Cyprus and Egypt. The Maldives, the Dominican Republic and the United Arab Emirates remain the most popular long-distance package destinations.
“The reasons are simple: there were enough flights; the prices were attractive,” said Restle.
Meanwhile, Swiss hotel owners reported a sharp rise in overnight stays last summer compared to the previous year, it was reported last week. The ending of Covid-19 restrictions in spring 2022 led to a surge in foreign visitors (+84.6%) compared to the previous summer.
But the overall number of overnight stays in Swiss hotels is still down by 1.3% compared to summer 2019, before the pandemic.
More
More
Swiss hotel industry enjoyed bumper summer season
This content was published on
Hotel owners reported a big rise in overnight stays last summer compared to the previous year. But figures were still lower than for summer 2019.
Living longer: What do you think about the longevity trend?
The longevity market is booming thanks in part to advances in the science of ageing. What do you think of the idea of significantly extending human lifespan?
Over 50 former diplomats blast Switzerland for ‘silence’ on Israel
This content was published on
In a joint letter, 55 former diplomats have expressed their shock at Switzerland’s “silence and passivity” regarding Israel’s “war crimes” in Gaza.
Swiss Solidarity donations surpass CHF4 million for landslide victims
This content was published on
As of Sunday morning, Swiss Solidarity’s provisional donation amount for the landslide area was around CHF4.3 million ($5.2 million).
Swiss aid expert criticises Gaza Humanitarian Foundation
This content was published on
The aid work of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is insufficient says Swiss government Delegate for Humanitarian Aid Dominik Stillhart.
Danger in Lötschental valley landslide area remains high
This content was published on
According to the authorities in canton Valais, the danger in the landslide area in the Lötschental valley remains very high on Sunday.
Swiss president visits region affected by glacier collapse
This content was published on
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter spoke with communities affected by the Birch glacier collapse, which buried the village of Blatten.
This content was published on
On Saturday the Lake Geneva, Valais and Basel regions are expected to record the first tropical day of the year, with temperatures exceeding 30°C.
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 hotel industry enjoyed bumper summer season
This content was published on
Hotel owners reported a big rise in overnight stays last summer compared to the previous year. But figures were still lower than for summer 2019.
Winter energy woes cast shadow over Swiss ski season
This content was published on
Swiss resorts are gearing up for a bumper season. But soaring power prices have resort managers scrambling for ways to save energy.
This content was published on
The heatwave and beautiful weather last summer meant many people decided to chill out at home, according to the TCS travel barometer 2019External link, published on Monday by the Touring Club of Switzerland. Italian-speaking Ticino and Graubünden in eastern Switzerland topped the attractivity ranking, followed by Italy, which just pipped canton Valais. These destinations were followed…
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.