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‘No kids’ holidays are booming in Switzerland. Blatant discrimination or a stroke of genius?

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I write articles on the Swiss Abroad and “Quirky Switzerland” as well as daily/weekly briefings. I also translate, edit and sub-edit articles for the English department and do voiceover work for videos. Born in London, I have a degree in German/Linguistics and was a journalist at The Independent before moving to Bern in 2005. I speak all three official Swiss languages and enjoy travelling the country and practising them, above all in pubs, restaurants and gelaterias.

The sound of children playing gaily in a swimming pool is for some people the sound of a joyous and carefree family summer. For others it’s like nails on a board. Canny tourist operators, including hotels, cruises and campsites, have realised that many people are willing to pay a premium to remove kids from their holiday equation.

What does this say about society? Is making children neither seen nor heard a pragmatic solution offering a better chance of a relaxing holiday, or is it another step by a nation with an already low birth rate towards extinction?

What do you make of these “adults only” holidays? Are you going on one this summer? Let us know.

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This content was published on ‘No kids’ holidays are booming in Switzerland. What do you reckon: blatant discrimination or a stroke of genius?

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FESV
FESV
The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

We must have several perspectives
01. The society in decline is affected by stereotypes which evaluate its evolution. To this effect, the society tries to keep away as much as possible from being the object of criticism and finger-pointing. In the end, Europe lacks a young population that wants to have children.
02. The billing argument for this model makes it more attractive and more costly for a large sector with not so many current resources.
03. Strict policies must be implemented so that the population understands that they must have a generation of relief and awareness that youth is passing. And family sustainability is needed in the final phase of each individual's life.

thank you
Franklin Sierra / Researchers of society in decline.

Debemos tener varias perpectivas
01. La sociedad de declive estan afectados por lo esteriotipos que evaluan su evolucion. A este efecto la sociedad tratan de alejar lo mas posible para no ser objeto de criticas y señalamientos. Al final europa carece de poblacion joven que quieran tener ninos.
02. El argumento de facturacion por este modelo hace mas atractivo y mas alto los costos para un sector grande pero no con tantos recursos actuales.
03. se deben implementar politicas extrictas para que la poblacion entiende que deben tener generacion de relevo y conciencia que la juventud pasa. Y se necesita sostentabilidad familiar en la face final de cada individuo o vida.

gracias
Franklin Sierra / Investigadores de sociedad en caida.

mark.lucking@gmail.com
mark.lucking@gmail.com

Kids keep you young, if you want to grow old quickly don't have any. Its been scientifically proven that the older you get the less you laugh, and make no mistake laughing is good for you. Kids help us, the human race focus on what matters, love and caring for each other, adults frequently forget that, focused on money and sex. Kids will make your life more enjoyable, they given you a reason to get up in the morning and a reason to go bed at night. They make you laugh, cry and live, far more than older adults ever will. You learn the meaning on the world love with your kids, more so than any partner you'll ever have. Kids are the future of this world we built for ourselves, kids are one of the reasons we're actually doing something about the environment, to make the world a better place for them.

sonjasalix@gmail.com
sonjasalix@gmail.com
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

I like children. I also like them on holiday. What I don't like is the attitude of many parents that children are little princes and princesses who need to be spoilt and not given any boundaries. Whether in the hotel, on the train or in the supermarket - screaming, whinging and rebellious children are annoying. What parents don't realise is that children suffer the most from their behaviour, they want to be given boundaries. Therefore - children are a joy, even in hotels, if they can behave a little.

Ich mag Kinder. Ich mag sie auch im Urlaub. Was ich nicht mag, ist die Haltung vieler Eltern, dass Kinder kleine Prinzen und Prinzessinnen sind, die man verwöhnt, denen man keine Grenzen setzt. Egal ob im Hotel, im Zug, im Supermarkt - schreiende, quengelnde und aufsässige Kinder sind mühsam. Was Eltern nicht bewusst ist: die Kinder leiden am meisten unter ihrem verhalten, sie möchten Grenzen gesetzt bekommen. Deshalb - Kinder sind eine Freude , auch in den Hotels, wenn sie sich ein kleines bisschen benehmen können.

Rubbersidedown
Rubbersidedown

People who have children, need to realize that not everyone likes kids; especially on a vacation.

Bellarivaca@aol.com
Bellarivaca@aol.com

It is correct that the poor behaviour of chlldren is a direct result of poor behaved parents. Parents who assume their children can disrupt another family's dinner by running and screaming in a restaurant can jump into a pool direct in front of swimmers despite signs prohibiting such action. Indeed, the parents and often the grandparents display approval of such bad behaviour, think it is funny and in turn encourage the kids to even worse. I took a girl of about 4 years in Sued Tirol away from the salad buffet and brought her to her Italian parents. She had hit both hands continuously into the salad bowls she could reach (and unfortunately she managed to reach almost all of them that were out front). The buffet was too low and should have had a guard rail of sorts in this 4 star hotel but it didn't. Her hands were covered in the stuff when I took her to her large family table. The waiters just stood and said nothing (I learned later they were regular guests and the waiters were afraid to say something). The mother almost hit me when I asked her to keep an eye on her child and said I was not going to stand by and say nothing while her little girl ruined my appetite. Now who was here at fault? No question in my mind.

MerciBitti
MerciBitti
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

The rise in child-free institutions reflects a growing social concern: the lack of basic social skills and respect shown by some children, which is directly attributable to inadequate parenting. To characterise this trend as discriminatory is to miss the point entirely. It's not about excluding children, it's about creating an environment where adults can relax and enjoy their time without the disruption and stress of poorly behaved children.
Parents have a responsibility to teach their children to behave appropriately in public, to be considerate of others and to respect shared spaces. When this responsibility is neglected, there are repercussions that affect everyone. Child-free zones are a response to this social problem and provide a haven for those seeking peace and quiet. It is a wake-up call to parents to teach their children the necessary social skills to navigate a diverse and shared world.
On top of this, these parents have a huge sense of entitlement: they believe that everyone must love their children no matter what, and that their parenting methods must not be questioned. This is simply wrong. These parents have an important task that they are not fulfilling.

Der Anstieg kinderfreier Einrichtungen spiegelt eine wachsende gesellschaftliche Sorge wider: den Mangel an grundlegenden sozialen Fähigkeiten und Respekt, den manche Kinder zeigen, was direkt auf unzureichende Erziehung zurückzuführen ist. Diesen Trend als diskriminierend zu bezeichnen, geht völlig am Ziel vorbei. Es geht nicht darum, Kinder auszuschließen, sondern vielmehr darum, eine Umgebung zu schaffen, in der Erwachsene sich entspannen und ihre Zeit ohne die Störungen und den Stress durch schlecht erzogene Kinder genießen können.
Eltern haben die Verantwortung, ihren Kindern beizubringen, sich in der Öffentlichkeit angemessen zu verhalten, auf andere Rücksicht zu nehmen und gemeinsame Räume zu respektieren. Wenn diese Verantwortung vernachlässigt wird, entstehen Auswirkungen, die alle betreffen. Kinderfreie Zonen sind eine Reaktion auf dieses gesellschaftliche Problem und bieten einen Rückzugsort für diejenigen, die Ruhe und Frieden suchen. Es ist ein Weckruf an die Eltern, ihren Kindern die notwendigen sozialen Fähigkeiten zu vermitteln, um sich in einer vielfältigen und gemeinsamen Welt zurechtzufinden.
Hinzu kommt ein enormes Anspruchsdenken dieser Eltern: Sie glauben, dass jeder ihre Kinder lieben muss, egal was passiert, und dass ihre Erziehungsmethoden nicht hinterfragt werden dürfen. Das ist schlichtweg falsch. Diese Eltern haben eine wichtige Aufgabe, der sie nicht gerecht werden.

CLAUDIAPATRICIA
CLAUDIAPATRICIA
The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

Unfortunately they are people who did not have a childhood, or forgot that at some point they were children. Children are the future of the world and I think there is no greater joy than to hear a child's laughter.

Poor human beings who need so much peace and quiet should wait for space on the moon.

Desafortunadamente son personas que no tuvieron infancia, o se olvido qué en algún momento fueron niños los niños son el futuro del mundo y pienso que no hay mayor alegría que escuchar la risa de un niño.

Pobres seres humanos que necesitan de tanta tranquilidad deberían esperar a que les den espacio en la Luna.

Komar
Komar
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Quote: "Birth rate and extinction"! I think that this suggestion by the journalist is absurd.
I grew up in a German state that no longer exists - certainly not because we didn't know such an inhuman approach to children.

But this approach also shows this abyss that money can or could buy everything if child-free zones are created for money or already exist.

Zitat sinngemäß:"Geburtenrate und Aussterben,"! Diese Vorgaben oder Suggestion durch den Journalisten halte ich für abwegig.
Ich bin in einem deutschen Staat aufgewachsen den es nicht mehr gibt - bestimmt nicht deshalb weil wir eine derartige menschenverachtende Herangehensweise bezüglich Kinder nicht kannten.

Aber diese hier aufgezeigten Herangehensweise zeigt auch diesen Abgrund daß man sich für Geld alles kaufen kann oder könnte wenn denn kinderfreien Zonen für Geld geschaffen werden oder schon sind.

espanolamigo
espanolamigo
The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

There should be hotels that accept children and hotels that do not discriminate but respect silence without the stridency of children, as there are hotel companies that offer exclusivity for couples or LGBT groups or various groups. Why should it be compulsory to accept only children? There is plenty of room even in big hotels to keep different types of tourists isolated.

Deberian existir hoteles que acepten niňos y hoteles que no discriminen pero si respeten el silencio sin las estridencias de niňos, como hay empresas hoteleras que ofrecen exclusividad para parejas o para grupos LGTB o grupos variados. Por qué debería ser una obligatoriedad aceptar unicamente con niňos? Hay mucho espacio inclusive en grandes hoteles para tener aislados a diferentes tipos de turistas.

M-A-M
M-A-M
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Hmm
I have 4 children - 3 grown up - 1 6 years old.
I love children.
Hmm
What's the problem???
I go to different places with kids than without!
I can enjoy both:
... Going to a spa where no kids are allowed.... I like the silence there!
... going to the beach where my boy can find other children to play with... perfect!
I think BOTH are GOOD!

Hmm
Ich habe 4 Kinder - 3 erwachsen - 1 6j.
Ich liebe Kinder.
Hmm
Wo ist das Problem???
Mit kids gehe ich an andere Orte als ohne!
Ich kann beides geniessen:
… In eine Therme zu gehen, wo keine Kids erlaubt sind…. Ich g e n i e s s e die Stille dort!
… an den Strand zu gehen wo mein Bueb andere Kinder zum spielen findet… perfekt!
Ic h finde BEIDES GUT!

catherinetimotheou
catherinetimotheou

One of my most memorable holidays was in a Silence Hotel in Chateau d'Oex. In thr mountains, no music anywhere and every effort to have just the sounds of nature everywhere. That did include kids and we taught them no yo disturb other guests. There was no extra fee for Silence Hotels.
The problem about no kids hotels is that ... we are saying no to kids and that's discrimination. And, apparently, hotels are charging for that. That too is not OK. We need another word that is embracing - at no extra fee. Ideas on a word anyone?

pemaag
pemaag
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

It has space for both holiday lifestyles

Es hat Platz für beide Ferienlebensweise

Bzcenci1945
Bzcenci1945
The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

And what do you do with the kids when you go on holiday without them? Do you leave them with the grandparents or are there boarding facilities like that for boarding puppies?

Y qué hacen con los chicos cuando van de vacaciones sin ellos? Los dejan con los abuelos o existen pensiones como esas para internar a los perritos?

luckylady
luckylady
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

I'm early retired, surrounded by the noise of children around the house all the time. If I'm also exposed to children's noise and whining during my holidays, then I'm really ready for the island. Today's parents simply let their children do as they please, without much admonishment or education. Many kids then take advantage of this and provoke out of boredom. I think "no kids" is much better than "no dogs". Dogs are at least well-behaved and often calm if you train them properly. It would be the same with children, but the parents don't want to or don't have the nerve.

Ich bin frühpensioniert, die ganze Zeit von Kinderlärm ums Haus umgeben. Wenn ich dann noch in den Ferien Kinderlärm und -gequengel ausgesetzt bin, dann bin ich wirklich reif für die Insel. Die heutigen Eltern lassen ihre Kinder einfach machen, gewähren, ohne grosse Ermahnung oder Erziehung. Das nützen viele Kids dann aus und provozieren aus Langeweile. "No Kids" finde ich viel besser als "Hunde verboten". Hunde sind zumindest erzogen und oft ruhig, wenn man sie richtig erzieht. Wäre bei Kindern auch so, nur wollen die Eltern oder haben keine Nerven dafür.

Mariano Gorostiaga
Mariano Gorostiaga
The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

Children must save the world from old people like all of us hahahahahaha

Los niños deben salvar el mundo de viejos como todos nosotros jajajaj

Mariano Gorostiaga
Mariano Gorostiaga
The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

Take children away from the family, and society and the human species will give its final kick to man's role on earth once and for all and forever.

Alejemos a los niños de la familia, y la sociedad y especie humana darán su patada final al papelón del hombre sobre la tierra de una vez por todas y para siempre.

Cinzia
Cinzia
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

There are hotels geared towards families and children (e.g. with play corners, with swimming pools for toddlers, etc.), hotels that accept dogs, so why shouldn't there be places just for adults? I had children, now grown up, but the education and respect for others was different. Today, if I can choose an 'adults-only' hotel, honestly yes, I would prefer it. The rudeness and lack of respect drives one away.

Ci sono hotel orientati alle famiglie e ai bambini (per esempio con angoli gioco, con piscine per i più piccoli etc), hotel che accettano i cani, e quindi perché non dovrebbero esserci luoghi solo per adulti? Io ho avuto dei figli, ora grandi , ma l educazione ed il rispetto per gli altri era diversa. Oggi se posso scegliere un hotel “solo per adulti” sinceramente sì, lo preferirei. La maleducazione e la mancanza di rispetto fanno scappare la voglia.

Craqdi
Craqdi

I think it's wonderful that someone doesn't have to endure the constant crying of other people who decided to have children of their own free will. In that sense, I have a more progressive view.

Rubbersidedown
Rubbersidedown
@Craqdi

My view is that children are overrated. Switzerland has experienced an increase in crime by children under 15 years old.

fam.bolliger99@bluewin.ch
fam.bolliger99@bluewin.ch
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

A society that wants to discriminate against children is not an inch away from the supposedly ostracised xenophobia.

Eine Gesellschaft, die Kinder diskriminieren will, ist keinen Millimeter mehr weg von der angeblich so verfemten Ausländerfeindlichkeit.

OCRAM
OCRAM
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

It is now pointless to participate, because if you express an opinion against the tide, you will be censured. Hurray for SWI's Swiss democracy! Today you have to be woke at all costs, otherwise you have no right to speak, because you might offend the intolerant majority, the one who prefers a world without children: how sad!

È ormai inutile partecipare, perché se si esprime un'opinione controcorrente, si viene censurati. Evviva la democrazia elvetica della SWI ! Oggi bisogna essere woke a tutti i costi, se no non hai diritto di parola, perché potresti offendere la maggioranza intollerante, quella che preferisce un mondo senza bambini: che tristezza!

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR