Switzerland Tourism Reports Successful Winter 2016/17

12 June 2017
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While skiing and other winter sports are still king in Switzerland, there’s plenty of action beyond the slopes. (Credit: Switzerland Tourism)
While skiing and other winter sports are still king in Switzerland, there’s plenty of action
beyond the slopes. (Credit: Switzerland Tourism)

Switzerland invented winter tourism over 150 years ago when the first British guests visited St. Moritz over the winter, and its reputation as a leading snow sports destination is still undisputable. American travelers also are #InLoveWithSwitzerland’s winter, as proven by recent overnight statistics.

The number of nights Americans spent in Swiss hotels in the winter season of 2016/2017 – from November through April – shows a growth of 7% compared to the same time frame in 2015/2016, with arrivals at Swiss hotels up even more (9%). Most of this growth was in the Swiss Alps, in the regions of the Valais, the Bernese Oberland, and the Engadin St.Moritz area, each with a growth rate of between 14 to 22% compared to the previous winter season.

“We are pleased to see that American travelers chose Switzerland as their winter destination – while skiing and other winter sports are still king in Switzerland, there’s plenty of action beyond the slopes. And plenty of quiet, cozy winter wonderland atmosphere as well, which our guests seem to appreciate more than ever", says Alex Herrmann, Director North America of Switzerland Tourism. The numbers for the past winter support a positive trend of U.S. visits to Switzerland that has been developing over the past seven years.

Source: Tourism data from the Swiss Federal Office of Statistics. Overnights at vacation homes or other kinds of accommodation, and visits with friends and family are not included.

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