Real estate professionals are seeing a renewed interest in chalets and other holiday apartments. The trend is benefiting smaller tourist destinations in particular. According to Wüest Partner, the price of second homes in Switzerland has risen by 3.6% over the past 12 months.
The demand for detached villas also increased this summer: 14% across the country and up to 25% in small and medium-sized towns such as Fribourg, Neuchâtel and Sion.
The fear of a second wave seems to play a role with some Swiss seeking to avoid being confined in an apartment in the city centre. According to geographer Pierre Dessemontet, there is also a need for more space for teleworking and a garden or patio for leisure activities.
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
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The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
Ecological status of Swiss streams insufficient according to study
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Pesticide use and obstructions of waterways have a particularly negative impact on sensitive organisms, completely absent in 70% of streams analysed.
Train line between Brig and Domodossola interrupted
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One day after a derailment approximately 15 kilometres from the Swiss border, BLS is running buses for passengers between Preglia and Domodossola, in Italy.
Swiss football boss wants crackdown on individual hooligans
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The head of the Swiss Football League says he prefers a harsher approach to individual hooligans rather than collective punishment measures affecting all fans.
Amherd: Council of Europe is ‘as urgently needed as ever’
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The Swiss government emphasised on Sunday the vital role of the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe, 75 years after it was founded.
Swiss minister: Italy will back Switzerland in EU talks
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Bern can count on the backing of Italy as it re-enters talks with the European Union on future relations, Viola Amherd says.
Student protestors at University of Lausanne continue pro-Palestine sit-in
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Since Thursday, a hall on campus has been occupied by students calling for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions and a ceasefire in Gaza.
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There are enough of them, but in the wrong places – this is the housing market in Switzerland. Photographer Sophie Stieger has documented the paradox.
For sale: Rustic cottage with lake view. Price: CHF1
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Nine stone cottages have gone on the market in Italian-speaking Switzerland at CHF1 ($1.01) each – on condition that the buyers do them up.
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