No reason for overhaul of Swiss tourism strategy, government says
"Take a holiday in Switzerland. It will be good for you and also for Switzerland," said Economics Minister Parmlin during the presentation of the government's tourism strategy.
Keystone/Anthony Anex
Economics Minister Guy Parmelin has presented a government strategy to make the Swiss tourism sector more sustainable.
He said the policy approach would remain unchanged but take into account the impact of the Covid-19 crisis to keep a competitive edge.
“We don’t’ need a revolution,” Parmelin told a news conference on Wednesday. “It’s about bringing up to date a successful strategy.”
He added the aim was not to return to a situation before the Covid crisis “at any cost” but to face challenges and set priorities, notably to improve conditions for the tourism industry.
Parmelin also highlighted moves towards more digitalisation and sustainability as well as the government’s investment programmes in the tourism sector.
“We want to make Switzerland a leader in sustainable tourism,” he said.
He also referred to a plan to re-launch business travel and urban tourism in Switzerland.
The updated strategy serves a basis for the government tourism policy over the next three years.
In September, the government announced a CHF60 million ($65.7 million) financial package to help the tourism sector recover from the impact of the pandemic.
Latest figures from the Federal Statistics Office show that the tourism sector made up 2.8% of Switzerland’s GDP in 2019.
Most Read Swiss Abroad
More
The citizenship obstacle course facing spouses of Swiss Abroad
Council of Europe warns against excluding Ukraine and Europe from peace talks
This content was published on
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, has warned against the exclusion of Ukraine and Europe from peace negotiations.
Switzerland records fewer illegal medicine imports
This content was published on
Last year, the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security seized 15% fewer illegal imports of medicine than the previous year.
Swiss president reacts to US vice president’s speech in Munich
This content was published on
For Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter, the Munich Security Conference was marked by uncertainty over the course of US foreign policy.
Swiss ‘Covid leaks’ scandal: court keeps gagging order
This content was published on
Swiss prosecutors, investigating a leak of confidential government information during Covid-19, remain blocked from seeing sensitive communication.
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
Sustainable tourism may prosper amid coronavirus crisis
This content was published on
Aurelia Kogler, a professor of tourism, sees the Covid-19 crisis as opportunity for a more sustainable form of leisure travel to take hold.
Tourism sector will take decades to recover from pandemic
This content was published on
The president of Switzerland Tourism says the year 2021 is on course to be even worse than 2020, with 5% fewer hotel stays expected.
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.