2019 Swiss Tourism in figures Structure and industry data

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Edited bySwiss Tourism Federation (STF)

In cooperation withGastroSuisse | Public Transport Association | Swiss Cableways | Swiss Federal Statistical Office (SFSO) | Swiss Hiking Trail Federation | Switzerland Tourism (ST) | SwitzerlandMobility

Project managementMartina Bieler, Head of Communication, Swiss Tourism Federation

Concept and designCarmen Neumayer, ZOIX Manufaktur, Winterthur, zoix.ch

ImprintPrintgraphic, Bern

stv-fst.ch/stizBern, July 2020

Impressum

3

Contents

15 Travel behaviour of the Swiss resident population

8 Tourism – An Important Sector Of The Economy

18 Accommodation sector

31 Hospitality

37 Tourism infrastructure

53 International

50 Formal education

56 Labels

4 Tourism in figures

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Legal bases 5

Marketing Switzerland as a tourist destinationFederal Act on Switzerland Tourism of 21 December 1955, Status as of 1 August 2008 (SR 935.21)

Promotion of innovation, cooperation and know-ledge creation in tourismFederal Act on the Promotion of Innovation, Cooperation and Knowledge Creation in Tourism of 30 September 2011, Status as of 1 January 2017 (SR 935.22)

Promotion of the hotel industryFederal Act on the Promotion of the Hotel Industry of 20 June 2003, Status as of 1 January 2013 (SR 935.12)

Legal basesNational tourism laws

Regional policyFederal Act on Regional Policy of 6 October 2006, Status as of 1 January 2013 (SR 901.0)

CasinosFederal Act on Gambling and Gambling Casinos of 29 September 2017, Status as of 1 July 2019 (SR 935.51)

Temporary special rate for accommodation servicesFederal Act on Value Added Tax of 12 June 2009, Status as of 1 January 2020 (SR 641.20)

Tourism statisticsOrdinance on the Conduct of Federal Statistical Surveys of 30 June 1993, Status as of 1 February 2020 (SR 431.012.1)

Nature parksFederal Act on the Protection of Nature and Cultural Heritage of 1 July 1966, Status as of 1 April 2020 (SR 451)

Cablecars and chairliftsFederal Act on Cableways for Passenger Transport of 23 June 2006, Status as of 14 August 2018 (SR 743.01)

Source: www.admin.ch

6 Legal bases

Cantonal Tourism laws

Canton Internet Law

Aargau www.ag.ch Location Development Act of 1 January 2010

Appenzell Innerrhoden www.ai.ch Promotion of Tourism Act of 28 April 2019

Appenzell Ausserrhoden www.ar.ch Tourism Act of 13 June 2016

Basel-Landschaft www.bl.ch Tourism Act of 19 June 2003

Basel-Stadt www.bs.ch Location Development Act of 29 June 2006

Bern www.be.ch Tourism Development Act of 1 May 2018

Fribourg www.fr.ch Tourism Act of 13 October 2005

Geneva www.ge.ch Tourism Act of 24 June 1993

Glarus www.gl.ch Tourism Development Act of 6 May 2007

Graubünden www.gr.ch Economic Development Act of 27 august 2015

Jura www.jura.ch Tourism Act of 31 May 1990

Lucerne www.lu.ch Tourism Act of 30 January 1996

Neuchâtel www.ne.ch Law to support the development of Tourism (LTour) of 18 February 2014

Nidwalden www.nw.ch Promotion of Tourism Act of 16 December 2015

Obwalden www.ow.ch Tourism Act of 3 May 2012

St. Gallen www.sg.ch Tourism Act of 26 November 1995

Schaffhausen www.sh.ch Promotion of Tourism Act of 15 May 2017

Solothurn www.so.ch Economic and Labour Law (WAG) of 8 March 2015

Schwyz www.sz.ch Law on Economic Development of 27 November 1986

Thurgau www.tg.ch Law on Actions against Unemployment and for Location Development of 28 November 1988

Ticino www.ti.ch Tourism Act of 25 June 2014

Uri www.ur.ch Tourism Promotion Act of 23 September 2012

Vaud www.vd.ch Promotion of Tourism Act of 12 June 2007

Valais www.vs.ch Tourism Act of 9 February 1996

Zug www.zg.ch Tourism Act of 27 March 2003

Zurich www.zh.ch No tourism law

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Tourist regions 7

Tourist regions

© Swiss Federal Statistical Office, ThemaKart As of 2019

1 Graubünden Canton of Graubünden

2Eastern Switzerland

Cantons of Glarus, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Thurgau, Schaffhausen (excluding parts of the district of Schaffhausen) and Canton St. Gallen (excluding parts of the district of See-Gaster)

3 Zurich RegionCantons of Zurich and Zug; Canton of Aargau: commune of Baden; Canton of Schwyz: district of Höfe and part of district of March; Canton of St. Gallen: part of See-Gaster district; Canton of Schaffhausen: part of district of Schaffhausen

4Lucerne / Lake Lucerne

cantons of Lucerne, Uri, Obwalden and Nidwalden; Canton of Schwyz (excluding the district of Höfe and parts of the district of March)

5 Basel RegionCantons of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft; Canton of Solothurn: districts Dorneck and Thierstein

6 Bern RegionCanton of Bern: districts of Emmental, Oberaargau, Bern-Mittelland, Frutigen-Niedersimmental, Interlaken-Oberhasli, Obersimmental-Saanen and Thun

7 Jura & Three-LakesCantons of Neuchâtel and Jura; Canton of Bern: districts of Bernese Jura, Biel/Bienne and of Seeland; Canton of Solothurn: districts of Solothurn, Bucheggberg, Lebern, Thal and Wasseramt

8 Lake Geneva (Vaud) Canton of Vaud

9 Geneva Canton of Geneva

10 Valais Canton of Valais

11 Ticino Canton of Ticino

12 Fribourg Region Canton of Fribourg

13 Aargau RegionCanton of Aargau (without commune Baden); Canton of Solothurn: districts of Olten, Gösgen and Gäu

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Tourism makes a significant con-tribution to value creation in Swit-zerland and accounts for around four percent of the country’s jobs. The three sectors of accommoda-tion, catering and transport are responsible for the bulk of the tourism economic motor.

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Tourism – An Important Sector Of The Economy 9

Tourism plays an important role in the Swiss economy. From the CHF 47.2 billion total revenue from tourism in 2018, 26.1 billion or almost 55.3 % was generated from tourist accommodation, food and beverage serving services and transport. These three tourism products account for 62.4 % of tourism’s total gross value added.

Tourism – an important sector of the economy

Export revenue

Industry2019

CHF bn2018

CHF bn2017

CHF bn2016

CHF bn2015

CHF bn

Pharmaceutical and chemical industry 114.6 104.4 98.6 94.3 84.7

Metal and machine industry 62.7 64.7 61.3 58.2 57.3

Merchanting 2 37.2 36.6 28.4 25.4 25.1

Financial services 2 21.3 21.1 19.9 19.4 19.9

Watchmaking industry 21.7 21.2 19.9 19.4 21.5

Tourism (Tourism Balance of Payments) 17.8 17.6 17.0 16.5 16.3

1 The tourism figures in the table above are based on the Tourism Balance of Payments. For system-related reasons, however, they differ slightly from the values in the Tourism Satellite Account. The Tourism Balance of Payments, for instance, also reports expenditure by foreign cross-border commuters and short-stay residents, foreign students at Swiss private schools and foreign students at Swiss colleges and universities, which are not inclu-ded in the Tourism Satellite Account. On the other hand, the Tourism Balance of Payments does not include purchases of tickets (international air travel and rail tickets) from Swiss transportation enterprises made by foreign visitors abroad.2 Data from the Data portal of the Swiss National Bank: data.snb.ch (access on 11 June 2020).Sources: Swiss Federal Statistical Office, Swiss National Bank

Tourism – an invisible export The expenditure of foreign guests in Swit-zerland has the same effect on the Swiss balance of payments as the export of goods and services. In 2018, approximately 4.4 % of Switzerland’s export revenue (goods without nonmonetary gold and services) come from tourism. 1


Switzerland’s income and expenditures related to travel are reflected in the Tourism Balance of Payments1. On the assets side, it reports Swit-zerland’s income from travel by foreign visitors in Switzerland, and on the liabilities side, it shows expenditure by the resident Swiss popula-tion while abroad. For system-related reasons, the figures in the Tou-rism Balance of Payments differ slightly from the values in the Tourism Satellite Account. See footnote 1 on the previous page regarding this point. The largest proportion of income comes from trips with over-night stays by foreign visitors. Of this income, revenue from clients of accommodation establishments is largely dominant over revenue from educational and hospital stays. The Tourism Balance of Payments is ba-sed on numerous data sources including surveys of visitors and house-holds as well as tourism accommodation statistics.

Largest share of income from travel with overnight stay

Tourism Balance of Payments

Tourism Balance of Payments

1 The figures for the Tourism Balance of Payments were thoroughly revised in 2020 as part of the National Accounts Revision 2020. 2 Revised figures3 Provisional figuresSource: Swiss Federal Statistical Office, Tourism Balance of Payment

Revenue from foreign touristsExpenditure of

Swiss tourists abroad

Revenue/Expenditure in billion CHF 2019 3 2018 2 2017 2 2019 3 2018 2 2017 2

Tourism, including overnight stays 11.8 11.5 11.1 12.9 13.0 12.9

Visitors staying in lodging facilities and with relatives

8.4 8.2 7.8

Educational & medical stays 3.4 3.3 3.2

Excursionists, transit visitors, other tourism

3.3 3.5 3.4 5.8 5.6 5.9

Consumption expenditure of border workers incl. short-term residents (< 4 months)

2.7 2.6 2.5

Total 17.8 17.6 17.0 18.6 18.7 18.8


In 2018, total tourism demand recorded an increase of 4.1 % (previous year: 2.2 %). Growth was observed for all products in 2018 (excluding the product communica-tions) leading to an increase in the overall tourism demand to a total of CHF 47.198 billion. The increase in tourist accommodation (+ 3.1 %) is noteworthy, while growth in food and beverage serving services (+ 0.8 %) remained relatively low. For transport services, growth was even 6.1 % whereby in total there was a rise of 1.2 % in tourism-related products. Growth of non-tourism-specific products increased by almost 7 %.

¹ Provisional valuesSource: FSO - Tourism, Monetary Aspect, Annual Indicators of the Tourism Satellite Account

The goal of the Tourism Satellite Account is to provide answers on the status and development of tourism in Switzerland from an economic perspective. Three core variables are surveyed: total tourism demand, gross value added by tourism and tourism employment. The main challenge is that economic statistics are generally supply-oriented. The NOGA division into different industries is based on the goods and services they mainly produce. By contrast, tourism as a cross-sectional sector includes several of these supply-side defined industries like accommodation, restaurant business or transport providers to varying degrees. As such, restaurant services are not generally touristic but only insofar as they are actually consumed by tourists. Generally speaking, a good only becomes touristic when being consumed by tourists. Tourism is hence defined by the demand side. The Tourism Satellite Account represents the basic synthesising statistic to measure these economic impacts of tourism.

Shares of the tourism industry in Switzerland 2016 – 2018

The Tourism Satellite Account

Increase in overall tourism demand

Non-tourism-specific products

Tourism-connected products

Miscellaneous tourism services

Recreation and other entertainment services

Cultural services

Travel agency, tour operator andtourist guide services

Passenger transport services

Food and beverage serving services

Accommodation services

2018 120172016

0 % 5 % 10 % 15 % 20 % 25 % 30 %


In 2018, the total gross value added by tourism increased (+ 3.1 %). Overall, this amounted to CHF 19,253 billion. In this area, all products (excluding communications) also showed a positive development of the gross value added. Growth for accommodation services was 2.9 %, for food and be-verage serving services 0.8 % and for passenger transport services even 5.5 %. Growth for tourism-connected pro-ducts was 1.3 %.


Share of tourism gross value added according to products 2016 – 2018

Increase of the gross value added






Cultural services

Travel agency, tour operator and tourist guide services




2018 120172016

0 % 5 % 10 % 15 % 20 % 25 % 30 %


Alongside tourism demand and gross value added, a sharp increase was also recor-ded in tourism employment. Tourism employment in full-time equivalents in 2018 increased by 2.6 % and amounted to 181 699 full-time equivalents. While tourism-characteristic products recorded a development of 3.0 %, the overall trend for tou-rism-related products was less marked (+ 1.1 %). In 2018, a negative trend (- 2,0 %) was seen for non-tourism-specific products. For the product accommodation, an in-crease in tourism employment of 1.0 % was recorded in 2018. Other tourism-specific products such as food and beverage serving services (+ 4.2 %), passenger transport services (+ 3.5 %), travel agency and tour operator activities (+ 3.2 %), culture (+ 3.6 %) as well as sport and entertainment (+ 3.6 %) recorded a stronger increase in tourism employment.


Tourism employment rate according to products (in full-time equivalents) 2016 – 2018

Increase in tourism employment


0 10 000 20 000 30 000 40 000 50 000





Cultural services

Travel agency, tour operator andtourist guide services




2018 120172016


20194th quarter

20193rd quarter

20192nd quarter

20191st quarter

20184th quarter

Full-time jobs (90% and more) 146.1 143.2 143.3 140 138.9

Men 85.1 82.3 82.8 81.6 80.8

Women 61 60.9 60.5 58.4 58.1

Part-time jobs I (50–89 %) 52.6 53.1 54 54.5 53

Part-time jobs II (15–49 %) 42.3 42.8 43 40.2 41

Part-time jobs III (< 15 %) 24.3 26.4 24.9 24.8 26.1

Total number of jobs (overall) 265.2 265.5 265.2 259.5 258.9

Men 120.1 117.7 118.1 116.9 114

Women 145.1 147.8 147.1 142.7 145

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014

Service industry Total 2 969.7 2 935.7 2 880.3 2 854 2 833.1 2 800.4

Men 1 597.4 1 582.3 1 549.1 1 538.1 1 532.5 1 519.8

Women 1 372.2 1 353.4 1 331.2 1 315.8 1 300.7 1 280.6

Accomodation Total 64.4 63.4 62.8 63.2 63.6 65.4

Men 31.5 30.4 29.9 30 29.7 30.4

Women 32.9 33 32.9 33.3 34 35

Food and beverage Total 128.5 126 120 120.1 120 120.8

service activities Men 65.8 63.5 61.3 59 58.8 59.9

Women 62.7 62.6 58.7 61.1 61.2 60.9

Land transport and Total 109.4 107.1 106.4 105.4 105.8 104.9

transport via pipelines Men 94.2 92.7 92.5 91.5 91.3 90.6

Women 15.2 14.4 13.8 13.9 14.5 14.3

Water transport and Total 16.4 15.6 14.2 14.4 13.9 14

air transport Men 10.3 9.7 8.6 8.7 8.5 8.6

Women 6.1 5.9 5.6 5.7 5.4 5.4

Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office, Employment Statistic

Jobs statistics: accommodation and food service activities (in 1000)

Full-time equivalents according to economic sectors (in 1000, annual average)

Employment statisticTransport, accommodation and food service activities

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urThe Swiss are a people who love to travel. On average, around 90 percent take at least one trip a year, with their own country still the most popular travel destina-tion. Germany and Italy follow in second and third place.

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16 Travel behaviour of the Swiss resident population

With 2.1 trips per person, children aged between 6 and 14 years had most often travelled in Switzerland, while those aged 25-44 years made the most trips with overnight stays abroad (2.8). People living in the German-speaking part of Switzerland undertook 3.3 trips, those from the French-speaking part 3.1 and the Italian-speaking population 2.7.

In 2018, 90.6 % of the Swiss resident population1 undertook at least one trip with one or more overnight stays away from home. A total of 24.9 million trips were made, of which 8.2 million were within Switzerland. On average 3.2 trips were made per person, of which 1.1 had a domestic destination.

Travel behaviour of the Swiss resident population

In addition to trips with overnight stays, data on day trips are also col-lected. The Swiss resident population undertook a total of 81.5 million day trips in 2018, corresponding to an average of 10.6 trips per person. People living in the German-speaking part of Switzerland undertook 11.9 day trips, whereas one from the French- or Italian-speaking popu-lation made 8.1 and 4.1 trips per year respectively.

2018 2017 2016 2015 2014

Trips with overnight stays 24 936 24 881 22 407 22 755 21 159

Day trips 81 481 76 022 76 920 79 660 75 780

2018 2017 2016 2015 2014

Trips with overnight stays 3.2 3.3 3.0 3.1 2.9

Day trips 10.6 10.0 10.2 10.7 10.3

1 Swiss resident population aged 6 or over: 7 673 827 personsSource: Swiss Federal Statistical Office, Travel behaviour 2018

Number of trips (in 1000)

Number of trips (per person)

Travel behaviour of the Swiss resident population 17

Travel destination Among the trips with overnight stays recorded in 2018, 33 % had a Swiss destination. 39 % of trips led to countries that border Swit-zerland, namely Germany (13 %), Italy (12 %) and France (10 %). Fi-nally, 22 % of trips had a destina-tion in other European countries and 7 % outside Europe.

Duration and purpose of travelTrips with a destination abroad lasted longer than trips within Switzerland. In 2018, trips of four or more overnight stays represented 66 % of the outbound and only 37 % of the inbound trips. On the other hand, trips with only one overnight stay accounted for 30 % of domes-tic and 7 % of trips abroad. In 2018, the main reasons for trips were, as in the previous year, holidays and recreation. They accounted for 63 % of trips, and 67 % of these had a foreign destination. In second place came trips for the purpose of visiting family and friends (24 %). Business trips accounted for 6 % of trips.

2018 2017 2016 2015 2014

Switzerland 8 201 8 231 7 465 7 830 7 732

Germany 3 135 2 766 2 980 2 939 2 639

Austria 1 078 1 062 960 1 091 1 019

Italy 2 964 2 868 2 730 2 808 2 557

France1 2 441 3 213 1 913 2 244 2 003

Southeast Europe2 1 322 950 948 981 972

Southwest Europe3 1 909 1 949 1 797 1 434 1 497

Rest of Europe 2 173 2 082 1 925 1 939 1 283

Rest of the world 1 712 1 760 1 689 1 486 1 454

Unknown --- --- --- 3 3

Total 24 936 24 881 22 407 22 755 21159

1 Including overseas departments and Monaco2 Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Albania, Slovenia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia3 Spain, Portugal, Andorra, GibraltarSource: Swiss Federal Statistical Office, Travel behaviour 2018

Number of trips with overnight stays by destination (in 1000)

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The range of tourist accommodation on offer in Switzerland is very diverse. A distinction is made between the hotel and parahotel sectors (youth hostels, campsites, holiday apartments, etc.). In 2019, the hotel industry generated almost 40 million overnight stays and the parahotel industry some 17 million.

Accommodation sector 19

Accommodation sectorOverview

Sources: Swiss Federal Statistical Office, Parahotellerie Switzerland

Swiss tourism statistics break accommodation options down into hotel accommodation and supplementary accommodation.

Accommodation statistics (HESTA) replace the statistics for hotels and health establish-ments which date back to 1934 but which were discontinued in 2003 due to budget restrictions. In methodological terms, these figures cannot be compared to the old statistics; HESTA has been in operation since 1st January 2005.

Hotels:Hotels, boarding houses, guesthouses, motels.Health establishments:Sanatoria which are not subsi-dised by the canton and con-valescent homes with medical management or support, alpine health establishments, altitude clinics, rheumatic clinics, public spas.

Commercially run holiday homes:These are properties which are offered for rental to third parties. They exclude properties which are solely occupied by the owners or long-term tenants, or their family members.Campsites:Demarcated sites which are accessible to everyone for the temporary parking of caravans and motor homes in which they travel, and for the temporary erection of tents.Collective accommodation:Dormitories for tourists and groups, club and association houses, mountain refuges and huts.Youth hostels:Switzerland’s official youth hostels.Agritourism:Agritourism or Farm Holidays refers to tourist offers in the country which, generally speaking, are organised by farmers themselves and represent an additional source of income. The three most popular offers in Switzerland are: ’Swiss Holiday Farms’, ’Sleep in Straw’ and ’tourisme-rural.ch’ (combined in the ’Agritourism Switzerland’ umbrella organisation since June 2011).Bed & Breakfast:Bed & Breakfast stands for all kinds of accommodation where a bed and a breakfast are offered.

Hotel accommodation

Supplementary accommodation

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Overnight stays Total

Change in %

Overnight staysForeigners

Change in %

Overnight stays Swiss

Change in %

January 2 836 384 - 1.2 1 419 850 - 2.2 1 416 534 - 0.3

February 3 113 363 - 2.5 1 513 831 - 2.8 1 599 532 - 2.3

March 3 352 687 0.7 1 748 569 - 1.5 1 604 118 3.3

April 2 676 948 3.9 1 502 840 4.5 1 174 108 3.1

May 3 006 949 4.6 1 773 006 3.9 1 233 943 5.7

June 3 800 082 5.2 2 247 598 5.0 1 552 484 5.4

July 4 568 810 3.3 2 607 246 1.7 1 961 564 5.5

August 4 505 292 0.6 2 591 212 - 2.4 1 914 080 4.9

September 3 705 035 0.3 2 026 557 1.2 1 678 478 - 0.9

October 3 060 503 2.1 1 580 698 3.6 1 479 805 0.5

November 2 085 854 3.0 1 081 987 0.0 1 003 867 6.4

December 2 850 132 4.5 1 546 217 3.3 1 303 915 5.9

Entire year 39 562 039 1.9 21 639 611 1.1 17 922 428 2.9

Development of overnight stays 2019Monthly overnight stays and change in % compared to the same period of 2018

In 2019, the Swiss hotel industry recorded a total of 39.6 million overnight stays, i.e. the best result to date. This represents a growth of 1.9 % compared with the previous year. Swiss demand amounted to a record value of 17.9 million overnight stays, which corresponds to an increase of 2.9 % compared with 2018. Foreign guests generated 21.6 million overnight stays, i.e. an increase of 1.1 %, a level of overnight stays never seen before. Germany accounted for the strongest foreign demand with 3.9 million overnight stays (+ 0.9 % compared with 2018), followed by the United States with 2.5 million overnight stays (+ 9.8 %) and the United Kingdom with 1.6 million (- 0.7 %). In terms of tourist regions, the Zurich Region recorded the highest number of over-night stays in 2019 with 6.5 million units (+ 3.9 %). It was followed by the Bern Region with 5.4 million overnight stays (+ 1.6 %) and Graubünden with 5.3 million overnight stays (+ 2.4 %). In 2019, visitors stayed an average of 2.0 nights in Switzerland. For guests from within Switzerland the average length of stay was 1.9 nights while for those from abroad it was 2.1 nights. Among the tourist regions, Graubünden recor-ded the longest average stay with 2.6 nights.

Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office, Statistics on tourist accommodation

Hotel accommodationHotels and health establishments


Country of residence of visitorsCalendar year

2019

Winter season 2018/2019

(November-April)

Summer season 2019

(May-October)

Total 39 562 039 16 731 909 22 646 671

Switzerland 17 922 428 7 968 635 9 820 354

Foreign countries 21 639 611 8 763 274 12 826 317

Europe total (excl. Switzerland) 12 238 454 5 737 003 6 514 410

Germany 3 925 653 1 780 874 2 143 232

United Kingdom1 1 641 429 746 631 868 509

France 1 277 105 620 731 658 784

Italy 887 679 454 588 446 951

Netherlands 648 054 278 756 366 157

Belgium 636 425 305 079 328 175

Nordic countries2 502 481 236 014 265 668

Spain 457 713 195 240 262 208

Austria 378 298 150 566 227 441

Russia 357 345 194 899 163 619

Other countries Europe 1 526 272 773 625 783 666

America total 3 278 536 1 076 681 2 164 645

United States 2 474 360 761 601 1 680 757

Canada 275 205 90 887 183 049

Brazil 248 573 115 548 129 953

Other countries America 280 398 108 645 170 886

Asia total 5 439 082 1 680 712 3 735 941

China (incl. Hong Kong) 1 583 799 506 290 1 071 619

Gulf States3 863 767 235 072 627 491

India 792 607 183 666 606 298

Republic of Korea 438 204 139 579 298 856

Japan 389 437 91 725 298 778

Other countries Asia 1 371 268 524 380 832 899

Africa total 285 593 131 437 152 959

Australia, New Zealand, Oceania total 397 946 137 441 258 362

Overnight stays by country of residence of visitors

1 Great Britain and Northern Ireland2 Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland3 Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab EmiratesSource: Swiss Federal Statistical Office, Statistics on tourist accommodation


Canton

Capacity1 2019

Overnight stays Net occupancy rate in %

Rooms Beds Swiss Foreigners Total Rooms2 Beds3

Graubünden 18 478 38 857 3 208 122 2 047 894 5 256 016 50.2 40.8

Bern 16 832 33 201 2 375 377 3 258 870 5 634 247 58.1 49.5

Zurich 16 583 29 336 1 919 447 4 040 698 5 960 145 67.1 55.9

Valais 13 390 27 868 2 220 259 2 039 691 4 259 950 53.9 45.5

Vaud 9 964 18 921 1 336 282 1 623 074 2 959 356 54.9 44.0

Geneva 9 697 15 935 620 589 2 582 385 3 202 974 66.5 55.2

Ticino 7 834 15 681 1 428 731 880 787 2 309 518 50.0 41.8

Lucerne 6 688 12 571 732 163 1 485 656 2 217 819 57.6 49.6

St. Gallen 4 530 8 727 593 301 385 297 978 598 41.9 32.2

Basel-Stadt 4 465 9 171 476 800 946 681 1 423 481 64.7 43.0

Aargau 3 364 5 780 392 307 359 056 751 363 45.5 36.4

Fribourg 2 049 4 236 301 820 180 079 481 899 42.3 31.8

Schwyz 1 970 3 846 378 187 188 662 566 849 46.0 42.2

Obwalden 1 964 4 135 264 468 374 154 638 622 53.7 44.2

Thurgau 1 908 3 438 260 864 142 025 402 889 42.7 33.0

Solothurn 1 779 3 290 233 645 201 710 435 355 49.6 37.0

Uri 1 273 2 492 148 924 148 355 297 279 44.6 36.1

Basel-Land 1 217 2 222 147 203 135 903 283 106 46.3 35.7

Zug 1 156 1 884 111 803 166 953 278 756 51.8 41.3

Nidwalden 1 123 2 393 143 360 187 548 330 908 49.0 39.5

Neuchâtel 1 043 1 846 122 075 107 926 230 001 43.6 34.2

Appenzell-Ausserrhoden 761 1 395 84 375 27 428 111 803 29.2 23.3

Jura 753 1 557 88 758 17 941 106 699 27.9 19.9

Glarus 658 1 417 119 407 15 551 134 958 33.7 28.5

Schaffhausen 615 1 189 78 991 69 307 148 298 44.0 35.1

Appenzell-Innerrhoden 532 1 685 135 170 25 980 161 150 50.6 28.6

Switzerland 130 625 253 071 17 922 428 21 639 611 39 562 039 55.2 44.8

Hotel industry: supply and demandCantons 2019

1 Only open establishments (available rooms and beds)2 Number of room nights in per cent of the net room capacity3 Number of overnight stays in per cent of the net bed capacitySource: Swiss Federal Statistical Office, Statistics on tourist accommodation


Communes

Capacity1 2019



Zurich 9 142 16 571 859 333 2 766 753 3 626 086 72.6 60.0

Geneva 6 470 10 583 311 595 1 870 816 2 182 411 68.0 56.6

Basel 4 337 8 695 468 191 942 164 1 410 355 65.9 44.8

Davos 3 358 6 643 505 574 409 606 915 180 51.2 42.6

Zermatt 3 271 6 528 594 038 919 919 1 513 957 74.3 68.3

Lucerne 3 053 5 864 316 626 1 066 354 1 382 980 75.2 65.1

Lausanne 2 948 5 223 390 278 599 075 989 353 63.4 52.0

St. Moritz 2 217 4 320 257 450 494 959 752 409 61.8 51.4

Bern 2 161 3 865 350 282 479 024 829 306 69.9 58.9

Opfikon 1 899 3 062 237 728 504 346 742 074 74.3 66.4

Lugano 1 614 3 013 209 778 299 577 509 355 55.8 47.4

Interlaken 1 608 3 220 137 723 643 284 781 007 75.2 66.9

Lauterbrunnen 1 574 3 033 117 006 431 745 548 751 60.8 56.9

Grindelwald 1 405 3 059 187 653 469 950 657 603 71.3 65.3

Other communes 85 566 169 394 12 979 173 9 742 039 22 721 212 48.2 38.8

Total 130 625 253 071 17 922 428 21 639 611 39 562 039 55.2 44.8

Tourist region

Capacity1 2019



Zurich Region 18 994 33 411 2 162 267 4 371 968 6 534 235 65.0 53.9

Graubünden 18 478 38 857 3 208 122 2 047 894 5 256 016 50.2 40.8

Bern Region 15 822 31 423 2 242 519 3 172 277 5 414 796 58.9 50.3

Valais 13 390 27 868 2 220 259 2 039 691 4 259 950 53.9 45.5

Lucerne / Lake Lucerne 12 417 24 367 1 594 059 2 318 318 3 912 377 53.7 45.8

Lake Geneva Region (Vaud) 9 964 18 921 1 336 282 1 623 074 2 959 356 54.9 44.0

Geneva 9 697 15 935 620 589 2 582 385 3 202 974 66.5 55.2

Eastern Switzerland 8 798 17 453 1 253 631 643 506 1 897 137 41.1 31.3

Ticino 7 834 15 681 1 428 731 880 787 2 309 518 50.0 41.8

Basel Region 5 844 11 659 639 747 1 092 488 1 732 235 60.1 41.3

Jura & Three-Lakes 3 681 6 867 474 696 301 378 776 074 43.0 31.8

Aargau Region 3 658 6 394 439 706 385 766 825 472 45.3 36.3

Fribourg Region 2 049 4 236 301 820 180 079 481 899 42.3 31.8

Switzerland 130 625 253 071 17 922 428 21 639 611 39 562 039 55.2 44.8

Regions 2019

Communes 2019


1 Number of room nights in per cent of the net room capacity2 Number of overnight stays in per cent of the net bed capacitySource: Swiss Federal Statistical Office, Statistics on tourist accommodation

Year

Surveyedestablish-

mentsSurveyed

roomsSurveyed

beds

Openestablish-

mentsAvailable

roomsAvailable

beds

2019 4 646 140 331 273 849 4 234 130 625 253 071

2018 4 765 140 884 274 792 4 275 130 049 251 679

2017 4 878 141 404 275 203 4 369 130 053 250 990

2016 4 949 140 331 271 710 4 411 128 523 246 432

2015 5 055 141 018 273 507 4 509 128 979 247 625

2014 5 129 140 722 272 636 4 554 128 638 246 449

Year ArrivalsOvernight

stays

Average duration

of stayNet occupancy

rate in % (rooms)1

Net occupancy rate in % (beds)2

2019 19 764 557 39 562 039 2.0 55.2 44.8

2018 19 353 083 38 806 777 2.0 54.5 44.6

2017 18 562 061 37 392 740 2.0 52.9 43.0

2016 17 477 932 35 532 576 2.0 51.3 41.6

2015 17 429 421 35 628 476 2.0 51.5 41.7

2014 17 162 053 35 933 512 2.1 52.0 42.2

Size of establishmentOpen

establishments in % Arrivals Overnight stays

0 to 10 beds 476 11.23 102 742 209 266

11 to 20 beds 816 19.27 517 785 991 437

21 to 50 beds 1409 33.26 2 964 041 5 961 390

51 to 100 beds 888 20.96 5 026 021 10 149 383

101 to 150 beds 312 7.37 3 280 976 6 743 523

151 to 200 beds 136 3.21 1 906 436 3 895 072

201 to 300 beds 115 2.71 2 657 962 5 212 981

301 and more beds 84 1.97 3 308 594 6 398 987

Total 4 234 100.00 19 764 557 39 562 039

Supply in hotels and health establishments

Demand in hotels and health establishments

Size of hotels and health establishments in 2019

mill

ion

over

nigh

t st

ays

7.3


Major regionHoliday homes

surveyedBeds

surveyed ArrivalsOvernight

staysDuration

of stay

Lake Geneva region 14 094 73 002 445 484 2 967 003 6.7

Espace Mittelland 3 791 18 263 198 406 1 130 153 5.7

Northwest Switzerland 195 755 7 091 30 902 4.4

Zurich 208 646 7 277 32 775 4.5

Eastern Switzerland 8 142 38 305 309 126 2 169 339 7.0

Central Switzerland 1 544 7 306 89 344 525 313 5.9

Ticino 2 135 9 389 64 403 401 807 6.2

Total 30 109 147 666 1 121 131 7 257 292 6.5

Holiday HomesOver the past year, holiday homes registered 7.3 million overnight stays. This repre-sents a decrease of 3.6 % compared with 2018. Domestic demand totalled 4.3 million overnight stays (- 1.1 % compared with the previous year) whereas foreign demand reached a total of 2.9 million (- 7.1 %) units. More than 80 % of overnight stays by foreign visitors were by visitors from Europe (2.4 million/- 9.0 %). In 2019, the Lake Geneva region was the major region that registered the highest number of overnight stays with 3.0 million, followed by Eastern Switzerland and Espace Mittelland (with 2.2 million and 1.1 million overnight stays respectively). In 2019, the average length of stay in holiday accommodation was 6.5 nights.

Following the suspension of the supplementary accommodation statistics in 2003, the survey of commercially-run holiday homes and collective accommodation (PASTA) was reintroduced in 2016. The survey is carried out nationally, based on a sample of representative units. For its implementation, the new statistics have called for a new methodology to fulfil both current standards and to optimise the quality of the results and reduce the burden on respondents. Subsequently, it is not possible to compare directly the results of the new and old statistics.The survey of campsites was reintroduced in 2005. Comprehensive obser- vations are made by the tourist accommodation statistics (HESTA).

Source: Federal Statistical Office, supplementary accommodation statistics (PASTA)

Supplementary Accommodation

Supply and demand


As of 31.12.2019* incl. holiday homes which were already classified in 2017 according to the new procedure (valid from 2018)** valid classifications at the end of 2018 according to the new procedureSource: Swiss Tourism Federation

Holiday apartments, guest rooms and Bed & Breakfasts by regions 2019

Awarded certificates 2009 – 2019

Classified holiday residences

Tourist region Total

Valais 139 340 219 1909 604 4518 687 437 46 8 8907

Graubünden 70 143 190 1089 655 3187 479 265 37 6 6121

Bern Region 14 91 70 586 212 1656 345 240 70 18 3302

Lucerne / Lake Lucerne 0 12 144 262 49 634 79 71 18 0 1269

Ticino 1 14 21 186 46 791 57 119 12 7 1254

Eastern Switzerland/Liechtenstein 2 5 11 271 34 458 86 53 8 3 931

Lake Geneva Region (Vaud) 4 31 21 134 74 371 46 74 2 2 759

Jura & Three-Lakes 0 7 24 65 48 283 87 35 14 2 565

Fribourg Region 1 3 2 16 4 89 17 30 1 0 163

Zurich Region 0 3 0 24 4 77 0 11 0 3 122

Basel Region 0 0 5 14 4 48 10 13 2 1 97

Aargau Region 0 0 0 14 1 36 0 11 0 1 63

Geneva 1 1 0 6 0 9 0 2 0 0 19

Total 232 650 707 4576 1735 12 157 1893 1361 210 51 23 572

0

5000

10 000

15 000

20 000

25 000

30 000

35 000

40 000

20192018201720162015201420132012201120102009

18 027

26 500

21 663

28 247

18 705

35 825*

23 227 25 117

16 453**18 102

23 572

mill

ion

ov

erni

ght

stay

s5.

7


Major regionEstablishments

surveyedBeds

surveyed ArrivalsOvernight

staysDuration

of stay

Lake Geneva region 586 29 282 613 871 1 458 989 2.4

Espace Mittelland 650 30 774 633 700 1 486 419 2.3

Northwest Switzerland 38 1 802 38 218 90 545 2.4

Zurich 72 2 850 64 604 152 773 2.4

Eastern Switzerland 630 29 544 523 986 1 425 099 2.7

Central Switzerland 271 13 113 283 957 634 133 2.2

Ticino 179 8 049 155 627 410 035 2.6

Total 2 426 115 414 2 313 961 5 657 993 2.4

Collective accommodation recorded 5.7 million overnight stays in 2019, i.e. growth of 4.0 % compared with the previ-ous year; 4.6 million units were by Swiss clientele (+ 4.2 %). Foreign visitors generated 1.1 million overnight stays, an increase of 3.2 %. Visitors from the European continent re-presented the greatest number of foreign overnight stays with a total of 805 000 units (+ 3.6 %). The Espace Mittel-land and the Lake Geneva region both have the highest number of overnight stays with 1.5 million units each. In 2019, the average length of stay in collective accommoda-tion was 2.4 nights.

Source: Federal Statistical Office, supplementary accommodation statistics (PASTA)

Collective accommodation

Supply and demand 2019

over

nigh

t st

ays

791 4

86


Tourism regionRegistered

hostelsAvailable

beds arrivalsOvernight

staysDuration of

stay

Graubünden 9 1 189 57 777 149 600 2.6

Zurich Region 8 796 55 887 101 958 1.8

Lucerne / Lake Lucerne 5 478 30 237 54 923 1.8

Eastern Switzerland 5 473 26 107 42 950 1.6

Ticino 3 472 X X X

Valais 5 661 39 192 88 500 2.3

Lake Geneva Area 3 476 X X X

Basel Region 2 312 X X X

Bern Region 7 917 78 991 144 775 1.8

Fribourg Region 1 84 X X X

Jura & Three Lakes Region 2 159 X X X

Total 50 6 017 388 275 791 486 2.0


In 2019 youth hostels in Switzerland recorded a total of 791 486 overnight stays (1.3 % higher than the previous year) with a network of 50 hostels (previous year: 50) offering a total 6017 available beds (previous year: 6006). The demand from Swiss guests increased by 3.5 % to 563 896 overnight stays. Guests from abroad spent 3.6 % fewer overnight stays in youth hostels than in the previous year, namely 227 590. Germany is the greatest source of international demand, with German guests boo-king 63 155 overnight stays (- 6.8 %). This is followed by guests from South Korea with 25 698 overnight stays (+ 0.2 %) and France with 14 569 overnight stays (+ 4,6 %). The most visited tourism region in 2019 was once again Grisons with 149 600 registered overnight stays (- 0.9 %). The Bern region recorded the second largest number with 144 775 (+ 6.2 %), with the Zurich region coming in third with 101 958 (- 0.6 %). The ave-rage length of stay for guests in Swiss youth hostels in 2019 was 2.0 nights (unchan-ged from the previous year), with Swiss guests recording an average of 2.1 nights and international guests recording an average of 2.0 nights. Among the tourism regions, Grisons recorded the longest average stay with 2.6 nights.

X = omitted for the purposes of data protection (fewer than 3 open hostels)The above statistics deal exclusively with youth hostels in Switzerland (excluding Schaan-Vaduz)Source: Swiss Youth Hostels

Youth Hostels

mill

ion

ov

erni

ght

stay

s3.

8


Tourist region

Surveyed establish-

ments

Overnight leased

campsites ArrivalsOvernights

stays

Average duration of

stay

Graubünden 43 3 617 112 050 369 292 3.3

Eastern Switzerland 37 1 720 95 998 239 972 2.5

Zurich Region 23 1 266 114 808 218 870 1.9

Lucerne / Lake Lucerne 39 2 177 115 895 359 453 3.1

Basel Region 5 129 5 372 10 194 1.9

Bern Region 60 3 790 161 292 485 097 3.0

Jura & Three-Lakes 34 2 255 74 834 223 906 3.0

Lake Geneva Region (Vaud)/ Geneva2 44 3 527 126 702 468 892 3.7

Valais 57 5 072 122 896 434 096 3.5

Ticino 33 4 933 191 177 809 568 4.2

Fribourg Region 13 730 28 883 67 467 2.3

Aargau Region 12 490 25 782 70 499 2.7

Total 400 29 707 1 175 688 3 757 306 3.2

In 2019, the campsites1 recorded 3.8 million overnight stays representing an in-crease of 5.0 % compared with the previous year. Swiss guests accounted for 2.5 mil-lion overnight stays, up 5.7 %. Foreign guests generated 1.2 million overnight stays, up 3.4%. German guests accounted for 494 000 overnight stays (+ 7.7 % compared with 2018), which corresponds to the highest absolute result among the foreign countries. They were followed by visitors from the Netherlands with 255 000 over-night stays (+ 1.7 %), France with 106 000 (+ 1.2 %) and the United Kingdom with 91 000 (- 9.3 %). With a total of 810 000 overnight stays for 2019, Ticino ranks first among all tourist regions in terms of absolute overnight stays and saw a 15.9 % increase com-pared with the previous year. The Bern Region followed it with 485 000 overnight stays (+ 5.3 %). For Switzerland as a whole, the average length of stay was 3.2 nights in 2019. Swiss guests spent an average of 3.5 nights on campsites while foreign guests stayed 2.8 nights. Of all tourist regions, Ticino recorded the longest average length of stay with 4.2 nights.

1 Only campsites which are included in the Swiss Business and Enterprise Register (BER).2 Two regions combined due to data protection (less than 3 open establishments in the Geneva tourist region)Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office, Statistics on tourist accommodation

Campsites


over

nigh

t st

ays

170

00

0


Holiday apartments/ alpine cabins Guest rooms

Group accommodation

Campground/Camping/Tepee Total

Offers 162 132 123 22 439

Total overnight stays 67 000 28 000 47 000 28 000 170 000

Turnover in CHF 2 Mio. 1.5 Mio. 1.2 Mio. 300 000 5 Mio.

Quelle: Agrotourismus Schweiz

Overnight stays and turnover 2019

Agrotourism

2019 was under the sign of the climate protector Greta Thunberg. This has also had a positive impact on agrotourism in Switzerland. The awareness of sustainable, climate-friendly tourism has influenced the travel behaviour of the population. The interest in and demand for farm holidays has increased. The long periods of fine weather also encoura-ged people to spend more of their holidays in their own country again. 62 % of the farm holiday guests come from Switzerland and 26 % from Germany.The homepage www.myfarm.ch now covers the entire range of agrotou-rism in Switzerland. In addition to the various accommodation offers for individual guests, families and groups, all farm restaurants, farm shops and events with a traditional and rural character are listed as well. As a result, the number of visitors increased by 23 % to 290 000 compared to the previous year. Despite modern booking and intermediary plat-forms for holiday apartments, rooms and group accommodation, it is still very common in agrotourism for guests to seek a direct contact with the provider and make a direct booking. The personal relationship between the guests and the hosts continues to play an important role in agrotourism. In addition, the guests appreciate the high experience value which is offered to them on the farms, whether in dealing with the animals or as they witness the everyday farming life.In 2019, the 230 providers of agrotourism in Switzerland generated 170 000 overnight stays and a turnover of around CHF 5 million.

Hos

pita

lity

In Switzerland, around 30 000 hotels and restaurants offer their services. With 263 877 employees in 2019, the hotel and restaurant industry is one of the country’s largest employers. About half of the total turnover is ge-nerated by tourists from Switzerland and abroad.

employees in 2019

263 877

32 Hospitality

With 263 877 employees, the Swiss hospitality industry is one of Switzerland’s largest employ-ers. In addition, the hospitality industry is training 7706 youths in the context of vocational edu-cation and training (“apprenti-ceships”).

Hospitality Important employer in Switzerland

The Federal Statistical Office’s most recent count of esta-blishments (2017) showed that there were 28 508 hospita-lity establishments in Switzerland. A survey of GastroSuis-se members showed that 69.4 % of these were restaurants without overnight accommodation, 27 % were accommo-dation establishments with restaurants and 3,6 % were accommodation establishments without restaurants. The hospitality industry makes a significant contribution to VAT income. In 2017, for instance, the hospitality industry paid 941.7 mn francs in net VAT. The 27 282 hospitality es-tablishments subject to VAT contributed 7.5 % of the Fe-deral Tax Administration’s (FTA’s) total net tax receivables in 2017.

263 877 Employees (2019)

7 706 Trainees in vocational education and training (2018)

28 508 Hospitality establishments (2017)

27 282 VAT-registered hotel and restaurant establishments (2017)

941,7 Mn francs of VAT paid (after deduction of input VAT) (2017)

or

7,5 Percent of the Federal Tax Administration’s (FTA’s) total net tax receivables (2017)

Source: GastroSuisse, Branchenspiegel 2020 (industry report)

Hospitality 33

Revenue growth was only barely positive in 2019 – it weakened during the course of the year and stagnated in the final quarter. In the hotel industry, revenue growth developed much more positively than in the restaurant industry. The hotel industry saw an increase in overnight stays among Swiss and foreign guests alike. In particular, hotels at the upper end of the star scale drove revenue growth in the fourth quarter of 2019. Restaurateurs attribute the negative revenue growth in the gastronomy segment to falling demand and the weather conditions.

Source: Survey by KOF (Swiss Economic Institute at ETH Zurich) in cooperation with GastroSuisse, Branchenspiegel 2020 (industry report)

Change in revenue development compared to the prior-year quarter

Restaurants HotelsHospitalityin %

-12

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

20182017 20192016201520142013200720062005 2011201020092008 2012

34 Hospitality

Turnover per establishment in %Source: GastroSuisse, Branchenspiegel 2020 (industry report)

Annual revenue, comparison between restaurants and hotels (2019, in CHF)

Annual turnover in CHF Restaurants Hotels

0 5 10 15 20

more than 5 000 000

2000 001 to 5 000 000

1500 001 to 2 000 000

1100 001 to 1 500 000

850 001 to 1 100 000

550 001 to 850 000

350 001 to 550 000

250 001 to 350 000

150 001 to 250 000

up to 150 000

Revenue per establishment

Year Quarter Hospitality Hotels Restaurants

2019

1 0.4 % 2.8 % –1.0 %

2 1.1 % 3.3 % –0.1 %

3 0.1 % 2.6 % –1.4 %

4 0.0 % 2.7 % –1.6 %

Source: Survey by KOF (Swiss Economic Institute at ETH Zurich) in cooperation with GastroSuisse, Branchenspiegel 2020 (industry report)

2019 change in revenue compared to the prior year

CH

F re

venu

e pe

r em

ploy

ed p

erso

n

125

204

Hospitality 35

Restaurants’ annual revenue tended to be lower than that of ho-tels. Among restaurateurs, 31.5 % reported annual revenue of up to 350 000 francs. Higher annual revenue, ranging from 850 000 to over 5 mn francs, was achieved by 37 % of establishments. This portion was significantly higher among hotels: 57.9 % of respondents stated that they generated such a result. Annual revenue of between 350 001 and 850 000 francs was indicated by 22.5 %.

In the calendar year 2018, the ave-rage revenue in a restaurant was 2517 francs per day of operation. To this figure, each employed per-son contributed 472 francs per day, leading to revenue of 125 204 francs per employed person over an average 265 days of operation. The revenue per seat per day of operation was 34.38 francs.

Revenue CHF

per day of operation 2 517

per employed person 125 204

per employed person and day of operation 472

Restaurant revenue per seat 9 117

Restaurant revenue per seat and day of operation 34.38

Source: Gastroconsult, Branchenspiegel 2020 (industry report)

Overview of key hospitality figures for 2018

You will find more information in the GastroSuisse publica-tion “Branchenspiegel 2020”, an industry report that can be obtained from GastroSuisse (www.gastrosuisse.ch/shop) for 35 francs.

36 Hospitality

in %

in %



Cost factors in the hospitality industry (restaurants and hotels, 2018)

Revenue breakdown (averages across all restaurants, 2018)

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65

Wine

Beer

Spirits

Mineral water

Kitchen

Coffee/tea

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Financing costs, depreciation and tax (incl. 0.6 % equity

capital interest)

Other operating expenses

Costs of goods (incl. direct services)

Staff costs (incl. 9.3 % employer's remuneration)

27.5 %

3.3 %

7.8 %

7.6 %

2.4 %

6.4 %

12.6 %

63.2 %

26.4 %

51.9 %

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65

Wine

Beer

Spirits

Mineral water

Kitchen

Coffee/tea

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Financing costs, depreciation and tax (incl. 0.6 % equity

capital interest)

Other operating expenses

Costs of goods (incl. direct services)

Staff costs (incl. 9.3 % employer's remuneration)

27.5 %

3.3 %

7.8 %

7.6 %

2.4 %

6.4 %

12.6 %

63.2 %

26.4 %

51.9 %

Cost factors and Revenue breakdown

The establishments included in the statistics spent more than half of each franc in revenue on payment of wages and ancillary wage costs (including employer’s remuneration). In total, 26.4 % of revenue was spent on the purchase

of goods and services in 2018. Around 31 % was accounted for by other operating expenses, fi-nancing costs and depreciation of assets.

In 2018, the average revenue from kitchen ser-vices was 63.2 %, 0.3 percentage points higher than in 2017. The portion of revenue accoun-ted for by alcoholic beverages remained in se-

cond place at 21.4 %. The sale of coffee, tea and mineral water made up 15.4 % of the average restaurant’s revenue (15.6 % in the prior year).

The tourist infrastructure in Switzerland is better developed than in almost any other country. Road, rail, air and water – tourists from all over the world have all possible means of transport at their dispo-sal in order to enjoy an overall experience.

Tour

ism

infr

astr

uctu

re


Tourism infrastructureTransport

1 Since 2017 private road traffic is no longer included in the passenger transportation statistics of LITRA.2 Since 2013 tramways are shown under «Public transportation road».

Source: LITRA Public transport information service

Passenger transportation by public transport1

Number of passengers per carrier 1950 – 2018

Number of passengers per carrier 2018 in % of total public transport

0

300

600

900

1200

1500

Public transp. road

Luftfahrt

Schifffahrt

öV Strasse

öV Bahnen

2018201720162015201420132201220112010200019901980197019601950

in millions of travellers Air traffic Ship travel

Ship travel

Air traffic

Public transportation railways

Public transportation road

0.5 %

34.2 %

63.1 %

2.2%

Public transp. railways

0

300

600

900

1200

1500

Public transp. road

Luftfahrt

Schifffahrt

öV Strasse

öV Bahnen

2018201720162015201420132201220112010200019901980197019601950

in millions of travellers Air traffic Ship travel

Ship travel

Air traffic

Public transportation railways

Public transportation road

0.5 %

34.2 %

63.1 %

2.2%

Public transp. railways

kilometres public transport route network

28 427

Tourism infrastructure 39

Sources: Alliance SwissPass, Federal Statistical Office, SBB, PostBus AG

The public transport route network on railways, roads, lakes and rivers adds up to a total of 28 427 kilometres. 24 012 stopping points are served.

Public transport is popular. The offer is constantly being expanded and used more and more frequently. Between 2000 and 2018, the Swiss public transport network recor-ded over 50 % more passenger journeys. Trams, trains and buses covered almost 40 % more kilometres in 2018 than in 2000, and today every second Swiss citizen has a public transport abonnement. In 2019, almost three million half-fare cards, half a million general abonnements and more than one million combined season tickets were sold.

One of the densest railway networks in the worldThe railroad network of Switzerland totals 5323 kilometres. 3236 kilome-tres are part of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). The Swiss rail network is used more intensively than any other in Europe: In 2018, an average of 130 passenger trains and 24 cargo trains travelled on the SBB net-work per day and route. In 2019, SBB carried an average of 1.32 million passengers per day.

Finely tuned transport network with buses, trams and the PostBusAround 120 regional passenger transport companies, including rail, bus, tram, ship and cable car companies, with their more than 1400 trans-port lines, represent Switzerland’s nationwide infrastructure.

916 PostBus lines make up a route network of over 16 055 kilometres. 2690 PostBus employees and an additional 1762 drivers from PostBus operators conveyed over 167 million passengers with 2533 postbuses. The vehicles covered a total of 124 million kilometres.

Public transport

air p

asse

nger

s

58 6

43 8

71


Active lake and river cruising in SwitzerlandIn 2019 the 15 companies joined together in the Association of Swiss Navigation Companies (ASNC) transported a total of 13.15 million passengers with 147 boats. This represents a decrease of 100 000 passengers compared to the prior year. Lake Lucerne, with 2.98 million passengers, lead the ranking based on the number of passengers, followed by the Lake Geneva with 2.50 million passengers and the Lake Zurich Horgen–Meilen ferry with 2.03 million passengers and Lake Zurich (incl. Limmat River) with 1.74 million passengers. At 2.52 million kilometres, the travelled distance is the same as in the previous year. Inland waterway transportation covers a network of approximately 1545 kilometres.

More than 58 million air passengersIn 2019, Switzerland’s airports registered 0.5 million take-offs and landings and 58.6 million passengers (local and transit passengers) in scheduled and charter flights. While the number of flight movements of scheduled and char-ter flights has dropped by 13 % since 2000, the number of passengers has increased by 70 %. The reasons for these opposing trends are larger aircraft and higher seat occu-pancy rates.

Source: ASNC Association of the swiss navigation companies

Sources: Federal Office of Civil Aviation, Swiss Federal Statistical Office

Airport MovementsLocal and transfer

passengersTransit

passengers Total passengers

Zurich Kloten 243 115 31 478 748 37 590 31 516 338

Genève Cointrin 145 527 17 826 513 31 006 17 857 519

Basel Mulhouse 76 388 9 068 206 13 162 9 081 368

Bern Belp 326 22 233 194 22 427

Lugano Agno 2 107 56 201 0 56 201

St. Gallen Altenrhein 2 075 107 637 0 107 637

Sion 129 2 381 0 2 381

Total 469 667 58 561 919 81 952 58 643 871

Flight movements and passengers

Air traffic

Navigation

Ski s

choo

ls15

1


151 Swiss Ski Schools employ approximately 4000 ski, snowboard, telemark and nor-dic instructors. During the high season, as many as 7000 teach in these schools that offer skiing, snowboard, nordic and telemark lessons for both children and adults. On request, there are also a number of other sporting activities and package deals available to guests. Due to the closure of the ski areas, all Swiss Ski Schools had to stop their activities on 13.03.2020. According to a survey by Swiss Snowsports, this will result in a loss of sales of around 80 % for the period from March to the end of the season.

Swiss Ski Schools

Change in the number of lessons sold by Swiss Ski Schools 1

Breakdown of group/private lessons

0

20 %

40 %

60 %

80 %

100 % Private lessonsGroup lessons

2019/202018/192017/182016/172015/16

Sold lessons

19/2018/1917/1816/1715/1614/1513/1412/1311/1210/1109/103 000 000

3 500 000

4 000 000

4 500 000

5 000 000

0

20 %

40 %

60 %

80 %

100 % Private lessonsGroup lessons

2019/202018/192017/182016/172015/16

Sold lessons

19/2018/1917/1816/1715/1614/1513/1412/1311/1210/1109/103 000 000

3 500 000

4 000 000

4 500 000

5 000 000

1 Status as of May 2020 Source: SWISS SNOWSPORTS

Due to the change in the system for recording data, it will be possible to show the breakdown of group and private lessons in addition to the total lessons sold from the 2015/2016 season onwards. Up-to-date figures for the season will be available at www.snowsports.ch as of August. These will additionally be published in the annual report.

licen

sed

faci

litie

s

245

9


A large part of the added value in mountain and peripheral regions is created by tou-rism. Cableways form an important part of the basic infrastructure and play a central role in the value creation chain. In many tourist destinations, the cable car is often the driving force and generates direct and indirect income in other sectors as well.

Evolution of Skier-daysIn the 2018/19 winter season, the total number of the Skier-days (first entry per person and day during winter) in Swiss ski resorts rose to around 24.9 million. Compared with the previous year, this represents an increase of 6.3 %. In ad-dition to the quality of the offer, the number of ski days is influenced in particular by the weather situation, the eco-nomic situation and the exchange rate of the Swiss franc.

Cableways

– By the end of 2018, there were 2459 licensed facilities in Switzerland. 31 % of these are T-bars, 32 % are rope tows and conveyors. The «classic» cableways are aerial cableways, gondolas, chairlifts and small cableways and account for 35 % of all installations. The remaining 2 % are funiculars. The cumulative transport capacity of the licensed cableways can trans-port 904 973 persons per hour.

– The Swiss cableway sector employed 16 027 people in the finan-cial year 2017/18 resp. 2018. 4983 people worked for the cableway companies as full-time employees.

– Foreign and local guests benefit from cableway infrastructures throughout Switzerland. Many cableways are located in the Alpine region. The largest passenger trans-ports’ income is accounted for by Valais (32 %), Graubünden (23 %), Central Switzerland (16 %) and the Bernese Oberland (15 %).

Evolution of Skier-days in Switzerland (in 1000)

Source: Swiss Cableways (SCW), Facts and Figures on the Swiss Cableways Industry 2019; Laurent Vanat, season balance 2018/19

Important in terms of regional economics

0

5 000

10 000

15 000

20 000

25 000

30 000

2018/192017/182016/172015/162014/152013/142012/132011/122010/112009/102008/09

0

20

40

60

80

100

CH-Average Winter

Ticino

Swiss Plateau

Central S

witzerla

nd

Arc ju

rassien

Eastern

Switzerla

nd

Bernese O

berland

Vaud and

Fribourg

AlpsValais

Graubünden

Winter Summer

0

200000

400000

600000

800000

1 000000

2018/192017/182016/172015/162014/152013/142012/132011/122010/112009/102008/09


Seasonal distribution of passenger transport incomeThe summer season has a very different regional significance for the cableway in-dustry. While in Graubünden the winter revenues have the highest share of income with 92 %, in Ticino the summer business (80 %) is clearly more important. In the 2017/18 winter season and the 2018 summer season, the average winter income across all regions is 73 %. Valais and Graubünden hold 55 % of all passenger trans-port incomes in Switzerland. The 8 % summer share of Graubünden (CHF 18 million) are higher in absolute terms than the 80 % summer share of Ticino (CHF 10 million).

Source: Swiss Cableways (SCW), Facts and Figures on the Swiss Cableways Industry 2019; Laurent Vanat, season balance 2018/19

Source: Swiss Cableways (SCW), Facts and Figures on the Swiss Cableways Industry 2019

Evolution of passenger transport income in the winter season (in 1000)In its core business of passenger transport, the Swiss mountain railways generated an income of 758 million Swiss francs in the 2018/19 winter season.

0

5 000

10 000

15 000

20 000

25 000

30 000

2018/192017/182016/172015/162014/152013/142012/132011/122010/112009/102008/09

0

20

40

60

80

100

CH-Average Winter

Ticino

Swiss Plateau

Central S

witzerla

nd

Arc ju

rassien

Eastern

Switzerla

nd

Bernese O

berland

Vaud and

Fribourg

AlpsValais

Graubünden

Winter Summer

0

200000

400000

600000

800000

1 000000

2018/192017/182016/172015/162014/152013/142012/132011/122010/112009/102008/09

0

5 000

10 000

15 000

20 000

25 000

30 000

2018/192017/182016/172015/162014/152013/142012/132011/122010/112009/102008/09

0

20

40

60

80

100

CH-Average Winter

Ticino

Swiss Plateau

Central S

witzerla

nd

Arc ju

rassien

Eastern

Switzerla

nd

Bernese O

berland

Vaud and

Fribourg

AlpsValais

Graubünden

Winter Summer

0

200000

400000

600000

800000

1 000000

2018/192017/182016/172015/162014/152013/142012/132011/122010/112009/102008/09

kilo

met

res

of ro

ute

netw

ork

36

850


SwitzerlandMobility is the national network of non-motorized traffic for leisure and tourism focusing on the development and communica-tion of the most attractive hiking, cycling, mountain biking, skating, and canoeing routes in Switzerland. In 2017, the availability of winter hiking, snowshoe walking, cross-country skiing and sledging was expanded. SwitzerlandMobility links these routes with public transportation and a wide variety of services in the leisure and tourism industry. The suppor-ting body of the network is the SwitzerlandMobility Foundation.

SwitzerlandMobility

SwitzerlandMobility route network

Status as of 31.12.2019

Status as of 31.12.2019Source: SwitzerlandMobility

SummerNational routes Regional routes Local routes

Number of kilometres

Hiking 7 63 382 13 800

Cycling 9 54 49 11 000

Mountain biking 3 16 235 10 500

Skating 3 13 3 1 200

Canoeing 1 8 3 350

Total 23 154 672 36 850

WinterNumber of offers

Winter hiking 147

Snowshoe walking 181

Cross-country skiing 156

Sledging 93

Total 577

0

100 000

200 000

300 000

400 000

500 000

600 000

201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005

Number of slowUp-events

16

18 18 18 19 18 19 1718

17

10

12

14 1415


Since SwitzerlandMobility was launched in the spring of 2008, the in-terest of the Swiss population and foreign tourists has grown steadily: while the web portal schweizmobil.ch registered just over 1 million visits in 2008, the number jumped to around 16 million in 2019.

SwitzerlandMobility, jointly with Switzerland Tourism and Health Pro-motion Switzerland, is a supporter of slowUp, the 18 car-free adventure days of adventure in all regions of Switzerland.

Participants:– 50% each women and men– Average age: 35.8 years– Expenditures per person: CHF 27.70

Sales generated as a result of SwitzerlandMobility

slowUp

Source: SwitzerlandMobility, surveys on usage in 2013

Source: SwitzerlandMobility

Swiss usersForeign visitors

Turnover fromSwiss users

(in CHF)

Turnover fromforeign users

(in CHF)Total turnover

(in CHF)

Hiking 920 000 101 000 270 Mio. 30 Mio. 300 Mio.

Cycling 750 000 75 000 290 Mio. 65 Mio. 355 Mio.

Mountain biking 160 000 16 000 65 Mio. 10 Mio. 75 Mio.

Total 1 830 000 192 000 625 Mio. 105 Mio. 730 Mio.

Growth in number of slowUp participants 2005 – 2019

kilo

met

res

netw

ork

of

hiki

ng t

rails

66

367


Switzerland offers hikers an extensive network of hiking trails covering more than 66 367 kilometres – an offering unrivalled by any other country in the world. Swiss hiking trails are legally protected and they feature signage com-pliant with official standards. The ’Swiss Hiking Trail Fe-deration’ is the umbrella organisation for the 26 cantonal hiking trail organisations. Together, they promote hiking, support attractive hiking trail projects and represent hi-kers’ interests at the political level. The umbrella federa-tion also supports the cantonal organisations and their members, who number approximately 48 000; it is respon-sible for fundraising at national level, and it publishes the WANDERN.CH magazine. On its services website, the Swiss Hiking Trail Federation offer a database containing more than 900 suggestions for hiking throughout Switzerland: schweizer-wanderwege.ch.

Swiss hiking trails

Network of hiking trails per region 2019

Source: Swiss Hiking

Major regionTotal network of walks (km)

Paved walks(km)

Mountain walks(km)

Eastern Switzerland 19 618 4 507 11 375

Espace Mittelland 15 330 4 692 2 688

Lake Geneva Region 12 887 3 256 3 648

Central Switzerland 8 226 2 392 3 223

Ticino 4 610 610 3 673

Zurich 2 970 995 19

Northwest Switzerland 2 726 932 7

Total 66 367 17 384 24 633

Protected natural asset


Hikers are satisfied with the offerOf particular importance to hikers are the attractive scenery along the trails, the expe-rience of nature and the opportunity to un-wind while hiking. In terms of infrastructure, end-to-end trail signage (including informa-tion on hiking times at regular intervals), un-paved (natural) paths, and varied, well main-tained trails are rated as very important by hikers. More than 60 % also consider restau-rants, inns and public transportation to the trails to be important or very important.

Facts from the study “Hiking in

Switzerland 2014”

– Hiking is the most popular leisure and sporting activity in Switzerland: almost half of the popula-tion aged 15 to 74 state that they are active hikers/mountain hikers. This figure translates into 2.7 million Swiss hikers in addition to 300 000 tourists from abroad.

– On average, each hiker takes 20 hikes of various lengths per year, with an average hiking time of three hours. Spread over a full year, this results in about 60 hours of hiking for a typical hiker. Three quarters of hikers also hike during the winter months.

– The average spend per person and day during a hike in Switzerland is CHF 45 or CHF 860 per year. Therefore, revenue generated by hikers amounts to approximately CHF 2.8 billion, broken down as follows: travel to and from the destination (approx. CHF 750 million), public transportation used along the way (approx. CHF 160 million), meals (approx. CHF 950 million), overnight accommodation (approx. CHF 420 million), equipment (approx. CHF 490 million), and miscellaneous (approx. CHF 40 million).

– Hikers are by no means the only users of hiking trails: overall, about 80 % of the Swiss population make use of signed hiking trails.

importance of various reasons for hiking

Source: ’Sport Schweiz 2014’ study, number of respondents: 10 652, of which 3 665 hikers (recognized athletes only)

Source: Swiss Hiking

not importantless importantimportantvery important

0 20 40 60 80 100

Compete with othersTrain for a competition/ event

Test one’s limitsPursue personal performance goals

Look betterMeet other people

Create memorable experiencesEnjoy time with friends

RelaxUnwind

Stay fit and in shapeHave fun

Enjoy being activeSpend time outdoors

Promote health

park

s an

d

park

pro

ject

s 1

9


Source: Swiss Parks Network

The Swiss National Park in the Engadine is the best known park in the country. It was established over 100 years ago as the first na-tional park in the Alpine region, and it has its own legal basis.In addition to the Swiss National Park, Switzerland has 15 regional nature parks and one nature dis-covery park that meet the requi-rements of the Parks Ordinance (ParkO) to the NCHA. There are also the Jorat Nature Discovery Park, a park project in the Canton of Vaud and the Regional Nature Park project Parco Val Calanca in the canton of Graubünden. Only in one category, the national parks of the new generation, there is no further project after the failure of the Parc Adula (2016) and the na-tional park project of the Locarne-se (2018).Nonetheless, the Swiss park poli-cy is a success story: regional na-

Swiss Parks

As a result of the dynamic developments of the past 12 years, the latest map (updated April 2020) includes 19 parks and park projects, representing more than 12 % of the area of Switzerland in 12 different cantons.

ture parks have emerged in most areas of the country. They have become pillars of long-term regional growth, creating added value for the nature and the countryside, for society and the regional economy – with tourism and regional products as the main economic beneficiaries. The national and nature discovery parks focus on the conservation of nature and the country-side, with particular emphasis on natural pro-cesses. By providing the basis for experiences of nature, these parks also attract tourism.In 2016, the Swiss Parks won the ’Tourism For Tomorrow Award’, an international prize for sustainable tourism. The parks were also ho-noured by the ’Denk an mich’ foundation for their commitment to barrier-free tourism.Various studies show that the parks bring con-siderable added value to their regions in terms of tourism: The evaluation of an extensive guest survey conducted by ETH Zurich in the nature parks Binntal, Ela, Gantrisch and Jura vaudois (Knaus 2018) shows that the tourist value added is up to six times higher than what the federal government, the cantons and the municipalities invest in the parks.


Swiss Parks

1 S

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7 N

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Cartography: Carmen Neumayer, ZOIX Manufaktur. Data: Swiss Parks Network / Federal Office for the Environment FOEN, swisstopoPark perimeters provisional in some places. Status as of April 2020.

2

5

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8

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16

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11

6

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Cat

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„In the long run, there is only one thing more expensive than education: no education“, said John F. Kennedy, thus providing the motto for the value of education and further edu-cation. The tourism industry takes its responsibility seriously and trains a large number of specialist staff every year.

Formal education 51

Economy and administration

Kaufmann/-frau EFZ B

Hotel-Gastro-Tourismus 16 17 13 9

Öffentlicher Verkehr 15 12 – 6

Reisebüro 10 7 5 8

Transport 6 13 11 5

Kaufmann/-frau EFZ E

Hotel-Gastro-Tourismus 164 203 133 133

Öffentlicher Verkehr 256 304 187 200

Reisebüro 101 120 92 123

Transport 19 24 30 27

Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office

Transport services

Matrose/Matrosin der Binnenschifffahrt EFZ 11 10 4 14

Seilbahn-Mechatroniker/in EFZ 32 25 29 27

Fachmann/-frau öffentlicher Verkehr EFZ 64 35 79 63

Certificates of qualification issued

Apprentices hired

Hotel and restaurant 2019 2018 2019 2018

Hotelfachmann/-frau EFZ 277 296 286 297

Hotel-Kommunikationsfachmann/-frau EFZ – – 158 126

Koch/Köchin EFZ 1 336 1 382 1540 1 575

Restaurationsfachmann/-frau EFZ 514 528 75 476

Restaurantfachmann/-frau EFZ (as of 2019) – – 392 –

Systemgastronomiefachmann/-frau EFZ 49 50 46 58

Hotel and restaurant

Hotellerieangestellte/r EBA 32 25 42 22

Küchenangestellte/r EBA 283 271 465 386

Restaurationsangestellte/r EBA 127 107 27 147

Restaurantangestellte/r EBA (as of 2019) – – 131 –

Seilbahner/in EBA – 6 9 5

Formal EducationVocational Education and TrainingFederal VET Diploma (EFZ)

Federal VET Certificate (EBA)

52 Formal education

2018 2017 2016

Men Women Total Total Total

Bereichsleiter/-in Hotellerie-Hauswirtschaft 5 66 71 78 75

Bereichsleiter/-in Restauration 9 21 30 36 28

Bergführer/-in 17 2 19 23 18

Cabin Crew Member 16 34 50 48 40

Chef de Réception 4 17 21 1 18

Chefkoch/Chefköchin 120 30 150 131 159

Fachmann/-frau im Pisten und Rettungsdienst – – – – –

Gastro-Betriebsleiter/-in 50 37 87 80 57

Schneesportlehrer/-in 81 25 106 110 107

Seilbahnfachmann/-frau 16 – 16 47 34

Tourismus-Assistent/-in 1 3 4 34 28

Wanderleiter/-in 2 – 2 7 9

Manager/-in öffentlicher Verkehr 19 2 21 – 19

Gastro-Unternehmer/-in 13 8 21 22 22

Küchenchef/-in 12 2 14 13 37

Leiter/-in Gemeinschaftsgastronomie 10 1 11 – 6

Leiter/-in Hotellerie – Hauswirtschaft – 5 5 – 2

Restaurationsleiter/-in – – – – 8

Manager/-in Gesundheitstourismus und Bewegung 1 – 1 – –

Seilbahnmanager/-in 2 – 2 1 –

Betriebsleitung Facility Management 2 21 23 25 29

Hotellerie und Gastronomie 190 240 430 401 383

Tourismus 55 179 234 256 198

Bachelor Hospitality Management 242 351 593 559 364

Master Hospitality Management 13 10 23 49 –

Bachelor Tourismus 49 141 190 235 183

Higher Vocational Education and Training: final exams 1

Federal PET Diploma

Advanced Federal PET Diploma

Diplomas from PET Colleges

Bachelor/Master of Universities of Applied Sciences

1 The figures for 2019 were not available at the time of printing. Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office

Inte

rnat

iona

l According to the UNWTO World Tou-rism Barometer, international tourist arrivals continue to grow faster than the economy. In 2019, the number of international tourist arrivals rose again by 4 percent to 1.5 billion.

54 International

1 Estimate Source: World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

Uncertainty surrounding Brexit, geopolitical and trade tensions, and the global economic slowdown, weighed on growth. Nevertheless, all regions enjoyed an increase in ar-rivals. The Middle East (+ 8 %) led growth, followed by Asia and the Pacific (+ 5 %). International arrivals in Europe and Africa (both + 4 %) increased in line with the world average, while the Americas saw growth of 2 %.

International tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) worldwide

grew by 4 % in 2019 to reach 1.5 billion. 2019 was another

year of strong growth, although slower compared to the

exceptional rates of 2017 (+ 6 %) and 2018 (+ 6 %).

InternationalTourist arrivals

International arrivals in million Change in %

20191 2018 20191/18 2018/17

Europe 742.3 716.1 3.7 5.8

Northern Europe 79.6 78.7 1.1 − 0.6

Western Europe 203.8 203.6 1.8 3.9

Central / Eastern Europe 154.3 148.5 3.9 8.5

Southern / Mediter. Europe 304.6 288.8 5.5 7.8

Asia and Pacific 363.6 347.7 4.6 7.3

North-East Asia 172.2 169.2 1.8 6.1

South-East Asia 138.6 128.6 7.8 6.7

Oceania 17.5 17.1 2.6 2.9

South Asia 35.5 32.8 7.7 19.4

Americas 220.1 215.7 2.0 2.4

North America 146.2 142.2 2.8 3.7

Caribbean 27.1 25.8 4.9 − 0.9

Central America 11.1 10.9 2.2 - 2.0

South America 35.7 36.9 − 3.1 1.2

Africa 71.2 68.4 4.2 8.5

North Africa 26.3 24.1 9.1 11.1

Subsaharan Africa 44.9 44.3 1.5 7.1

Middle East 63.9 59.4 7.6 3.0

World 1461 1407 3.8 5.6

International 55

1 Provisional data Source: World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

Top destinations

International arrivals in million Change in %

Rank Country of destination 20181 2017 20181/17 2017/16

1 (1) France 89.4 86.9 2.9 5.1

2 (2) Spain 82.8 81.9 1.1 8.7

3 (3) United States 79.7 76.9 3.6 0.7

4 (4) China 62.9 60.7 3.6 2.5

5 (5) Italy 61.6 58.3 5.7 11.2

6 (8) Turkey 45.8 39.3 21.7 24.1

7 (6) Mexico 41.3 37.7 5.1 12.0

8 (9) Germany 38.9 37.6 3.8 5.2

9 (10) Thailand 38.2 37.5 7.3 9.4

10 (7) United Kingdom 36.3 35.6 − 3.5 5.1

35 (35) Switzerland 11.7 11.1 5.2 7.0

International tourism receipts in billion US-$

Change in % based on local currency

Rank Country of destination 20181 2017 20181/17 2017/16

1 (1) United States 214.5 210.7 1.8 1.9

2 (2) Spain 81.5 75.3 3.5 10.5

3 (3) France 65.5 58.9 6.4 4.5

4 (4) Thailand 63.0 56.9 2.5 12.2

5 (5) United Kingdom 51.9 47.5 5.3 4.1

6 (6) Italy 49.3 44.2 6.5 7.7

7 (7) Australia 45.0 41.7 10.7 9.3

8 (8) Germany 43.0 39.9 3.1 4.3

9 (11) Japan 42.1 34.1 21.7 14.4

10 (10) Macao (China) 40.5 35.6 14.6 17.6

25 (23) Switzerland 17.0 16.5 2.7 3.0

Quality plays a decisive competitive role in the tourism industry. It must be noticeable to the guest from the very first moment. Labels give quality a face and signal which services guests can expect.

Labe

ls

Lables 57

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

201920182017201620152014

Level IIILevel IILevel I Total

14,2 %

4,0 %

3,4 %

4,6 %

11,3 %

9,0 %

35,3 %

14,1 %

4,1 %

Snow sport schools

Taxis

Gastronomy


Tourism organisations

Hotel industry

Leisure/Culture

Public transport

Other

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

201920182017201620152014


0

100

200

300

400

500

600

201920182017201620152014


14,2 %

4,0 %

3,4 %

4,6 %

11,3 %

9,0 %

35,3 %

14,1 %

4,1 %

Snow sport schools

Taxis

Gastronomy


Tourism organisations

Hotel industry

Leisure/Culture

Public transport

Other

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

201920182017201620152014


The Quality Programme of Swiss Tourism promotes the development of quality and quality assurance in tourism operations. In 2019, 150 level I quality labels, 57 level II quality labels and 54 level III quality labels have been awarded. This corresponds to an average decrease of 26.3 % com-pared to the previous year. Since 1998 a total of 13 164 individuals have been trained and 9 434 quality labels have been granted.

*For more than 20 years, the Quality Programme of Swiss Tourism has been a success story. After careful consideration, the STF Board of Directors decided in January 2020 to terminate the Quality Programme as of the end of 2022. Details: stv.ch/labels. Source: Swiss Tourism Federation. Status as of 31.12.2019.

LabelsQ Programme of Swiss Tourism

Quality Labels awarded 2019

Labels per industry 2019

58 Lables

Since 1996 Swiss holiday destinations addressing their services to the needs and wishes of families can apply for the Family Destination qua-lity label. In 2019, 26 destinations were bearing the label.

Since 2008 the Swiss Tourism Federation has been awarding a Wellness Destination quality label to Swiss holiday destinations specialising in wellness services. In 2019 this quality label was awarded to 11 destina-tions.

Family Destination/Wellness Destination

Destinations carrying the label

Family Destination 2019 – 2021

Valais1 Fiesch | 2 Riederalp | 3 Bettmeralp | 4 Blatten-Belalp | 5 Bellwald | 6 Crans-Montana | 7 Nendaz | 8 Grächen | 9 Saas-Fee | 10 Zermatt

Bernese Oberland 11 Lenk | 12 Hasliberg

Lake Lucerne 13 Sörenberg | 14 Engelberg

Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein 15 Braunwald | 16 Wildhaus-Alt St. Johann | 17 Malbun

Graubünden18 Flims, Laax | 19 Lenzerheide | 20 Savognin | 21 Arosa | 22 Davos | 23 Klosters | 24 Pontresina | 25 Zuoz

Ticino 26 Ascona – Locarno

Wellness Destination 2018 – 2020

Fribourg Region A Charmey

Bernese OberlandB Gstaad K Interlaken

Valais C Leukerbad

Aargau RegionD Rheinfelden E Bad Zurzach

Zurich Region F City of Baden

Eastern Switzerland G Bad Ragaz

Ticino H Ascona-Locarno

GraubündenI ScuolJ St. Moritz

34

5

67 8

910

1312

1415

1819

20

21 2223

2425

1617

112 1

Wellness DestinationFamily Destination

G

F

I

AB

C

K

E

H

D

26

Source: Swiss Tourism Federation

Lables 59

The Swiss Tourism Federation classifications are aimed at providing an idea about the quality and services of holiday apartments, guest rooms and Bed & Breakfasts in Switzerland. This results in a high level of trans-parency and therefore comparability between the different providers.

ibex fairstay accompanies lodging companies on their way to a sustai-nable company management. Hotels, hostels and clinics which sur-pass their responsibility for sustainable action will be rewarded. The integral support contains the five areas such as management, ecology, regionalism, social awareness and economic efficiency. With the help of a measure catalogue as well as supported calculations and analy-ses practical improvement possibilities are indicated. The companies are awarded the bronze, silver, gold or platinum level according to their performance of sustainability. The branch solution also offers the pos-sibility of a combined certificate of the TourCert label.

Classification of holiday apartments and guest rooms

Awarded certificates 2019

ibex fairstay

Source: ibex fairstay

A detailed overview of the regional distribution is found on page 26 of this brochure. Source: Swiss Tourism Federation

0 – 100 101 – 1000

1001 – 50005001 – 15 000

8907

1254

6121

931

19

759163 3302

1269

122

565

6397

Year 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015

Certified companies 60 60 58 56 57

60 Tourism associations and institutions

Tourism interest groups and professional associations

Agritourism Switzerland Brunnmattstrasse 21, 3007 Bern, phone +41 (0)31 359 50 30, www.myfarm.ch, [email protected] organisation for the marketing and coordination of agritourist services in Switzerland with around 250 members.

Association of post- graduate Hoteliers- Restaurateurs SHV/ Hotelmanager NDS HF

Secretariat, Lindenstrasse 2, 8134 Adliswil, phone +41 (0)79 833 81 75, www.vdh.swiss, [email protected], further education and friendship care for students of the postdiploma course Unternehmensführung resp. Nachdiplomstudium NDS HF of HotellerieSuisse.

Association of Swiss Tourism Managers (ASTM)

c/o Schmid Pelli & Partner AG, Bodmerstrasse 6, 8002 Zurich, phone +41 (0)43 810 06 06, www.vstm.ch, [email protected]. Representation of the professional interests of swiss tourism managers. Professional development, network maintenance, lobbying.

Association of the Swiss Navigation Companies

Mythenquai 333, 8038 Zurich, phone +41 (0)43 243 16 57, www.vssu.ch, [email protected]. Safeguarding the interests of the 15 member shipping companies.

BnB Switzerland Sonnenweg 3, 4144 Arlesheim, phone +41 (0)61 703 00 83, www.bnb.ch, [email protected]. Organisation of Swiss BnB host families. Information, promotion (internet / app), quality assurance, official institution for the classification of all Swiss BnBs.

Community of Interest of the Schools of Higher Education in Tourism Management (CI-HSTM)

Josefstrasse 59, 8005 Zürich, phone +41 (0)44 440 30 90, www.ist-edu.ch, [email protected]. Safeguarding common interests towards the public authorities, associations and the general public, promotion of tourism management education and training in Switzerland.

Foundation SwitzerlandMobility

Monbijoustrasse 61, 3007 Bern, phone +41 (0)31 313 02 70, www.switzerlandmobility.ch, [email protected]. Quality assurance, information, development of national, regional and local offers for hiking, cycling, mountain biking, skating, canoeing, winter hiking, snowshoe trekking, cross-country skiing and sledging.

GastroSuisse Blumenfeldstrasse 20, P.O. Box, 8046 Zurich, phone +41 (0)848 377 111, fax +41 (0)848 377 112, www.gastrosuisse.ch, [email protected]. GastroSuisse is the association for hotels and restaurants in Switzerland. Around 20 000 members organised in 26 cantonal sections and 4 specialist groups belong to Switzerland’s largest employers’ association in the hospitality industry.

Groups AG | Feel at home – together

Spitzackerstrasse 19, 4410 Liestal, phone +41 (0)61 926 60 00, www.groups.swiss, [email protected]. Organisation of group accommodations and group hotels in Switzerland. Services: rental agency (commission-free), worldwide marketing, consultation and settlement services, quality management, travel insurance specifically for groups, booking soft-ware www.groupsoffice.com.

Tourism associations and institutions

Tourism associations and institutions 61

HotellerieSuisse Monbijoustrasse 130, P.O. Box, 3001 Bern, phone +41 (0)31 370 41 11, fax +41 (0)31 370 44 44, www.hotelleriesuisse.ch, [email protected]. HotellerieSuisse is the centre of excellence for the Swiss hospitality industry and the trade association which represents the interests of the nationally and inter-nationally oriented hospitality establishments. The association is a member of the european umbrella association Hotrec as well as the Hotelstars Union.

Hotel & Gastro Union Adligenswilerstrasse 29/22, P.O. Box 4870, 6002 Lucerne, phone +41 (0)41 418 22 22, fax +41 (0)41 412 03 72, www.hotelgastrounion.ch, [email protected]. Union of employees, professionals and management staff of the hotel / restaurant trade of bakers and confectioners.

HHD AG/Interhome Sägereistrasse 27, 8152 Glattbrugg, phone +41 (0)43 810 91 91, www.interhome.ch/en, [email protected]. Rental specialist for individual holiday houses and apartments in the most popular regions of Switzerland and internationally. Interhome’s services include the management of the properties as well as the handling of the complete booking process and fulfillment while ensuring high quality standards.

Parahotellerie Switzerland

Schaffhauserstrasse 14, P.O. Box, 8042 Zurich, phone +41 (0)44 360 14 31, fax +41 (0)44 360 14 25, [email protected] of the interests of quality-conscious Swiss non-hotel establishments regarding tourism policy matters and the promotion of meaningful partnerships and activities. Members ensure direct quality definition/quality control and operate their own online reservation platforms. The current members are BnB Switzerland, Interhome/HHD AG, Swiss Travel Fund (Reka), Swiss Youth Hostels and TCS Camping.

Snow Sport Initiative Switzerland – GoSnow.ch

Finkenhubelweg 11, 3012 Bern, phone +41 (0)31 307 47 52, www.gosnow.ch, [email protected]. Association for the promotion of snow sports for children and adolescents at a national level through organised low-cost arrangements for schools.

Swiss Association of Public Transport

Dählhölzliweg 12, 3000 Bern 6, www.voev.ch, [email protected]. Protection of interests. Promotion of collaboration amongst the members. Informa-tion and consultation activities. Professional formation and further education.

Swiss Cableways Dählhölzliweg 12, 3000 Bern 6, [email protected], www.seilbahnen.org. Representation of the common interests of the cableways vis-à-vis the authorities and the government, information of the media and the public regarding industry con-cerns, fundamental training, continuing education and training offered to employees at all levels, consultation for members regarding legal, financial, operational, tech-nical, and administrative issues, periodic surveys regarding the industry’s financial position.

swisscamps – Swiss Camping Association

Bahnhofstrasse 5, 3322 Schönbühl, phone +41 (0)31 852 06 26, www.swisscamps.ch, info@swisscamps. ch. The national umbrella organisation of Swiss campsites with around 180 members for the promotion of camping holidays. Advising members on all matters relating to camping. Comprehensive evaluation and classification of campsites to maintain and improve quality.

Swiss Centre for mountain regions (SAB)

Seilerstrasse 4, 3001 Bern, phone +41 (0)31 382 10 10, www.sab.ch, [email protected]. Created in 1943. Lobbying for mountain regions and advisory services for projects in regional development.

62 Tourism associations and institutions

Swiss Hiking Trail Federation

Monbijoustrasse 61, 3007 Bern, phone +41 (0)31 370 10 20, fax +41 (0)31 370 10 21, www.wandern.ch, [email protected]. Umbrella organisation of 26 cantonal hiking associations. Promotes hiking trails and hiking in Switzerland.

Swiss Hostels Alpenstrasse 16, 3800 Interlaken, phone +41 (0)33 823 46 46, fax +41 (0)33 823 46 47, www.swisshostels.com, [email protected]. Sector organisation for independent hostels in Switzerland. Network and exchange, strengthening the position of independent hostels in Switzerland both in the market and within the industry.

Swiss Parks Network Monbijoustrasse 61, 3007 Bern, phone +41 (0)31 381 10 71, www.parks.swiss, [email protected]. The Network is the umbrella organisation of all Swiss parks which administers the interests of its members and assists them in establishing and operating the parks, as well as in ensuring their quality in the long-term. The 19 parks characterize themselves by their natural and cultural landscapes. They are engaged to protect and to valorize them.

SWISS SNOWSPORTS Hühnerhubelstrasse 95, 3123 Belp, phone +41 (0)31 810 41 11, fax +41 (0)31 810 41 12, www.snowsports.ch, www.swiss-ski-school.ch,[email protected]. Swiss Snowsports is the nationwide umbrella organisation of Swiss Ski Schools and the training association of Swiss snow sports instructors, which is committed to the targeted promotion, development and dissemination of snow sports.

Swiss Tourism Federation (STF)

Finkenhubelweg 11, 3012 Bern, phone +41 (0)31 307 47 47, fax +41 (0)31 307 47 48, www.stv-fst.ch, [email protected]. To safeguard the interests of those responsible for tourism in Switzerland and to participate in all tourism policy decisions; to provide information about the importance of tourism and to contribute to tourism research.

Swiss Travel Savings Fund (Reka) Cooperative

Neuengasse 15, 3001 Bern, phone +41 (0)31 329 66 33, fax +41 (0)31 329 66 01, www.reka.ch, [email protected]. The Swiss Travel Fund (Reka) Cooperative is a strong, modern organization with a non-profit-making social tourism goal. It aims to enable as many families in Switzer-land as possible to enjoy holidays and leisure. With its two business spheres, Reka Money and Reka Holidays, it has achieved a unique Swiss product mix.

Swiss Youth Hostels (SYH) Schaffhauserstrasse 14, P.O. Box, 8042 Zurich, phone +41 (0)44 360 14 14, fax +41 (0)44 360 14 60, www.youthhostel.ch, [email protected]. Promotion of youth and family travel, accommodation for individual travellers, groups, schools and families.

Thermal Spas and Health Hotels Switzerland

Zähringerstrasse 21, 6003 Luzern, phone +41 (0)71 350 14 14, www.kuren.ch, www.thermenschweiz.ch, [email protected]. Representing the interests of thermal spas, convalescent homes, clinics of rehabilitation and health hotels.

Public corporations

Swiss Association for Hotel Credit (SGH)

Uetlibergstrasse 134b, P.O. Box, 8027 Zurich, phone +41 (0)44 209 16 16, www.sgh.ch, [email protected]. Financing, appraisals, consulting.

Switzerland Tourism (ST) Morgartenstrasse 5, 8004 Zurich, phone +41 (0)44 288 11 11, www.myswitzerland.com, [email protected] in 26 countries. Increase the demand for Switzerland as a travel, holiday and congress destination.

Tourism associations and institutions 63

Federal institutes State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO

Tourism policy, Holzikofenweg 36, 3003 Bern, phone +41 (0)58 462 27 58, www.seco.admin.ch, [email protected]. Central federal authority for national and international tourism policies.

Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO)

Tourism section, Espace de l’Europe 10, 2010 Neuchâtel, phone +41 (0)58 467 24 40, www.tourismus.bfs.admin.ch, [email protected]. To provide statistics on Swiss tourism (surveys on infrastructure, arrivals and over-night stays in hotels, holiday homes, group accomodation and camping places, tourism balance of payments, Tourism Satellite Account and travel behavior).

Institutes of higher education

Institute of Tourism ITW (Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts)

Rösslimatte 48, P.O. Box 2940, 6002 Lucerne, phone +41 (0)41 228 41 45, fax +41 (0)41 228 41 44, www.hslu.ch/itw, [email protected]. Study programmes and further education, applied research and consultation in the fields of destination management, sports & events, wellness and health, sustainability, e-tourism, leisure and tourism-related traffic and public transportation.

Institute for Tourism (ITO), HES-SO Valais (University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland)

TechnoPôle 3, 3960 Sierre, phone +41 (0)27 606 90 01, fax +41 (0)27 606 90 00, www.hevs.ch, [email protected] study programmes and further education, applied research and consulting especially in digital transformation and online marketing, monitoring and management tools in tourism (observatory), service design, market research and market intelligence.

Institute for Tourism and Leisure (ITF) at the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons

Comercialstrasse 22, 7000 Chur, phone +41 (0)81 286 24 24, fax +41 (0)81 286 39 49, [email protected]. BSc (full- and part-time, Tourism and Service Design) and MSc (Tourism & Change) study programmes as well as further education (CAS Event Management, CAS Touris-mus 4.0) in tourism and leisure management. Applied research and consultancy in the areas of service innovation, Tourism 4.0, and the management of tourism real estate and infrastructure, taking into account sustainable development.

Research Unit Tourism (CRED-T) in the Center for Regional Economic Development, University of Bern

Schanzeneckstrasse 1, P.O. Box, 3001 Bern, phone +41 (0)31 631 37 11, www.cred-t.unibe.ch, [email protected] teaching, research and services, in particular concerning tourism policy and evaluation, sustainable development and innovation in tourism, touristic structural change, and touristic cooperation.

International Tourism Organisations european travel commission (etc)

rue du Marché aux Herbes 61, 1000 Brussels, Belgium, phone +32 2 502 01 13, fax +32 2 514 18 43, www.etc-corporate.org, www.visiteurope.com, [email protected].

eurostat Joseph Bech Building

5, rue alphonse Weicker, 2721 luxembourg, phone +35 2 4301 1, fax +35 2 4301 35349, www.ec.europa.eu/eurostat, [email protected].

hotels, restaurants & cafés in europe (hotrec)

36-38 rue dautzenberg, 1050 Brussels, Belgium, phone +32 2 548 90 00, fax +32 2 502 41 73, www.hotrec.eu, [email protected].

world tourism organization (unwto)

calle capitán haya 42, 28020 Madrid, spain, phone +34 91 567 81 00, fax +34 91 253 40 36, www.unwto.org, [email protected]. Groupements d’intérêts et associations professionnelles.

2019 Swiss Tourism in figures Structure and industry data

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