23.02.2016 10:30 – FSO, Tourism (0353-1601-70)
Statistics on tourist accommodation in December and year 2015
Overnight stays declined by 0.8% in 2015
Neuchâtel, 23.02.2016 (FSO) – The hotel sector registered 35.6 million overnight stays in Switzerland in 2015, representing a decline of 0.8% (-305,000 overnight stays) compared with 2014. Foreign demand generated 19.6 million overnight stays, i.e. a decline of 1.7% (-331,000 units). 2015 was marked by the end of the minimum exchange rate for the Swiss franc against the euro. This measure has certainly influenced foreign demand, particularly that from Europe. Swiss visitors registered 16.1 million overnight stays, i.e. a stable result (+0.2% / +26,000 overnight stays). During the month of December 2015, 2.5 million overnight stays were generated, corresponding to a marked decline of 5.6% (-147,000 overnight stays) compared with December 2014. These are the final results from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Decline in European overnight stays, increase in demand from other continents in 2015
During 2015, overnight stays by Swiss visitors registered a stable result (+26,000 overnight stays / +0.2%) compared with 2014. For foreign visitors, European overnight stays were characterised by a decline of 1.2 million overnight stays (-9.3 %). With a total of 11.8 million overnight stays in 2015, one would have to return to 1958 to find a lower result for European customers. Germany registered a marked decline of 541,000 overnight stays (-12.3%), representing the largest absolute drop of all countries of origin. Marked decreases were also registered for the Netherlands (-98,000 overnight stays / -14.4%), France (-83,000 / -6.2%), Italy (-77,000 / -7.6%) and Belgium (-59,000 / -9.5%). The strong franc against the euro following the end of the minimum exchange rate decided by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) on 15th January 2015 has certainly contributed to these marked declines.
Russia (-164,000 overnight stays / -30.7%) also recorded a marked decrease. The economic situation of this country may provide one explanation for this drop. The United Kingdom similarly recorded a decrease in overnight stays (-27,000 / -1.6%).
With a sharp increase since 2009, the Asian continent registered record growth in 2015 with an additional 744,000 overnight stays (+18.6%), therefore exceeding the 4.0 million overnight stay mark for the very first time. The greatest absolute increase in overnight stays was from Chinese visitors (excluding Hong Kong) with an additional 344,000 overnight stays (+33.3%). This was followed by the Gulf countries (+159,000 overnight stays / +20.6%), India (+107,000 / +22.0%) and the Republic of Korea (+54,000 / +20.5%). By contrast, Japan registered a decline of 45,000 units (-10.3%). The American continent registered an increase of 4.7% (+109,000 overnight stays). Among the countries from this continent, the United States recorded an increase of 94,000 overnight stays (+5.7%). The continents of Africa and Oceania registered increases of 21,000 (+7.5%) and 11,000 overnight stays (+3.4%) respectively.
Contrasting trend in overnight stays in the tourist regions in 2015
Seven out of fourteen tourist regions registered falls in overnight stays. Graubünden recorded the largest absolute decline (-335,000 units / -6.6%). This was followed by Valais (-149,000 / -3.8%), Ticino (-133,000 / -5.7%) and Eastern Switzerland (-93,000 / -4.7%). By contrast, urban regions held up well with the Zurich Region taking the lead (+208,000 overnight stays / +3.9%). Similarly, increases were also registered for the Basel Region (+22,000 overnight stays / +1.5%) and Geneva (+13,000 / +0.5%). The Lucerne/Lake Lucerne Region (+152,000 units / +4.4%) and the Bernese Oberland (+38,000 / +1.0%) also posted increases.
Slight decrease in the length of stay in 2015
The duration of stay was 2.0 nights in 2015 whereas it was 2.1 nights in 2014. For Swiss visitors it was 2.0 nights, whereas foreign visitors registered 2.1 nights. Among the tourist regions, Graubünden recorded the longest duration of stay with 2.8 nights, followed by Valais (2.4 nights). The shortest length of stay was registered in the Fribourg Region with 1.6 nights.
Net room occupancy rate in 2015
During 2015, the net room occupancy rate was 51.5% (compared with 52.0% in 2014). Of all tourist regions, Geneva showed the highest rate at 64.6%. This was followed by the Zurich Region with a rate of 63.3%. The lowest rate was 37.3% which was recorded in Eastern Switzerland.
Marked decline in overnight stays in December 2015
In December 2015, the Swiss hotel industry registered 2.5 million overnight stays, which corresponds to a decrease of 5.6% (-147,000 overnight stays) compared with December 2014. Domestic visitors generated 1.2 million overnight stays, representing a decline of 1.4% (-16,000 overnight stays). Foreign demand generated 1.3 million overnight stays, i.e. a decline of 9.1% (-131,000 overnight stays). The particularly poor snow conditions in December may explain this result.
As far as country of origin is concerned, visitors from Germany registered the largest absolute decline, a decrease of 61,000 overnight stays (-18.8%) compared with December 2014. Next were guests from the Netherlands with a decline of 14,000 overnight stays (-23.4%) and Russia with a decrease of 12,000 overnight stays (-28.8%). Belgium came next with a decline of 7700 overnight stays (-15.0%). Visitors from the Gulf countries, for their part, registered the largest absolute increase, with an additional 7400 overnight stays (+26.4%). Next were visitors from the United States with a growth of 3500 overnight stays (+3.8%) and from India (+1800 overnight stays / +12.1%).
Ten out of fourteen tourist regions posted decreases in December 2015 compared with December 2014. Graubünden showed the largest absolute reduction, i.e. a decline of 76,000 overnight stays (-14.7%). Valais registered a decrease of 26,000 overnight stays (-7.4%) followed by the Bernese Oberland (-16,000 units / -7.0%) and the Basel Region (-14,000 / -11.6%). In contrast, the Lake Geneva Region (Vaud) posted the largest absolute increase with 6500 additional overnight stays, representing an increase of 3.8%. This was followed by the Zurich Region with an increase of 6100 units (+1.5%).
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Tags: Switzerland Tourism
