The Swiss appeal going strong

Australian and New Zealand travellers continue to favour Switzerland as a top destination, with visitor numbers strengthening year after year.

As the 6th strongest market in terms of visitor growth to the country, Australian and New Zealand delivered an all-time record high of 325,000 overnights in 2015, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.5 percent.

Director of Switzerland Tourism AU & NZ, Mark Wettstein, says the Swiss appeal to travellers here extends far beyond the country’s natural assets and world renowned transportation system.

“A country with four language regions, Switzerland offers rich and diverse cultural, historical and culinary experiences, in which more and more discerned travellers are expressing interest,” Wettstein said.

Beyond the picture-book sceneries of the Alps, lakes and meadows, travellers are interested in discovering and indulging in the local Swiss way of life, food, traditions and events.

“We believe that this coupled with the ongoing introduction of new products and experiences continue to improve our country’s appeal not only to new visitors, but to repeat visitors as well,” Wettstein added.

Tour operators have also shared that travellers are choosing Switzerland increasingly as a stand-alone holiday destination as opposed to combining their European trip with other countries.

According to Switzerland Tourism, the most visited destinations for Australian and New Zealand travellers include Zurich, Lucerne, Geneva, Zermatt, Basel, Interlaken and Engelberg.

However, the launch of the Grand Tour and the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland last year has seen an increase in travellers discovering less touristy places such as St Gallen, Brig and Neuchâtel. Popular among travellers prior to embarking on the Tour is the virtual tour which takes them through the destinations via stunning imagery of the locations, helping them better plan their routes.

Major attractions and events for 2016 have also gained wide interest, including the opening of the FIFA World Football Museum in Zurich; the opening of Charlie Chaplin’s Museum or Chaplin’s World by Grevin in Vevey; the opening of viewing platforms on Grindelwald First and Schilthorn in the Jungfrau Region, where visitors can enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding alpine region; and the upcoming celebration of the Montreux Jazz Festival’s 50th year in July.

Switzerland’s forecast for Australia and New Zealand visitor numbers for 2016 is expected to remain between 4-5 percent, the average over the past three years.

Switzerland

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