The number of foreign tourists to Switzerland's mountains, lakes and cities has fallen sharply in 2020 and 2021, as countries imposed travel restrictions to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, overnight stays in Switzerland recorded a 29% growth in 2022, when the aforementioned restrictions were lifted.
Also in 2022, the number of American visitors more than doubled from a year earlier, boosted by a stronger dollar, which has made Swiss destinations more affordable.
Tourists at Geneva Cointrin International Airport, Switzerland. Illustration photo: AFP/TTXVN
The Swiss Tourism Authority now expects visitor numbers to Switzerland to remain stable in 2023, before growing again in 2024 and 2025.
In a related comment, Mr. Martin Nydegger, Director of the Swiss Tourism Agency, emphasized: “2023 will mark the return of Asian tourist markets; before that, American and European tourist markets returned in 2022.”
“We feel the Chinese tourist market will change its travel patterns,” noted Martin Nydegger, adding that Chinese tourists are looking for more outdoor and nature activities. They are also traveling in smaller groups and visiting multiple countries individually, rather than multiple countries on the same trip.
According to statistics released by the Swiss Government on February 23, the number of overnight stays by Chinese tourists has increased significantly this year; however, this figure is still only about one-fifth of the level recorded in 2019.
“Travel companies tell us that demand is high and will increase gradually,” the director of the Swiss Tourism Agency added, referring to Chinese tourists.
