Swiss hotels have enjoyed good business this summer, with overnight stays in June, July and August up for the fourth year running.

Some 11.1 million overnight stays were recorded, 641,000 or 6.1 per cent more than for the same period last year, according to figures published on Friday by the Swiss Statistical Office in Neuchâtel. The result is 9.7 per cent better than the average for the past five summers.

The Office said the positive result was due to the international economic situation, the favourable exchange rate for the Swiss franc and the attractions on offer. But it also said good weather played a major role in encouraging tourism.

Domestic demand accounted for 4.19 million stays - 146,000 or 3.6 per cent more than in the summer quarter last year. Foreign visitors booked 6.9 million overnight stays - 495,000 or 7.7 per cent more than a year ago.

The Office said bookings from the United States jumped by 22 per cent. It attributed this to the strong US dollar, but said numbers were also up because of the passion play in Oberammergau in Germany, which takes place only once every 10 years, and because of the Holy Year in Italy.

swissinfo with agencies

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