05.06.2019 – The hotel industry in Switzerland recorded 16.7 million overnight stays during the winter tourist season (November 2018 to April 2019), i.e. the best result since the winter season of 2007/2008. Compared with the same period last year this represents an increase of 0.7% (+117 000). With 8.8 million overnight stays, foreign demand rose by 1.0% (+83 000). Domestic visitors registered a slight increase of 0.4% (+34 000) with 7.9 million units. These are the provisional results from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
| In the tourist winter season, overnight stays increased in December (+ 3.6%) and in November (+ 2.6%). For a meaningful comparison of the numbers, the months of March and April are considered together to neutralize the effects of Easter. Together they posted an increase of 1.6%. The months of February (-2.7%) and January (-1.5%) recorded a minus. |
Hotels and health resorts: development of overnight stays for the winter seasons (November to April) - Click to enlarge |
| Slight increase in domestic demand, strong increase in guests from America and Asia
In the tourist winter season 2018/2019, Swiss guests generated a slight increase of 34,000 overnight stays (+ 0.4%) compared to the same period of the previous year. The foreign guests provided 83,000 additional overnight stays (+ 1.0%). This increase is primarily attributable to the American guests, which recorded an increase of 71 000 overnight stays (+ 7.0%). The United States registered 73,000 additional overnight stays (+ 10.6%), showing the strongest absolute growth of all countries of origin. The number of overnight stays of Asian guests also increased significantly, with an increase of 41,000 overnight stays (+ 2.5%). The increase was highest among guests from India (+18 000 overnight stays / + 11.0%) and China (excluding Hong Kong, +13 000 / + 2.9%). Demand from the Gulf States also increased (+7200 / + 3.2%). Korea (-14,000 / -9.0%) and Japan (-2900 / -3.1%), however, recorded a minus. European demand has declined (-39,000 overnight stays / -0.7%). The UK lost 15,000 overnight stays (-1.9%), the largest drop in absolute terms in all countries of origin. This was followed by Sweden (-12,000 / -11,1%) and Russia (-11,000 / -5,5%). Germany (-3900 / -0.2%) and Italy (-2600 / -0.6%) also recorded a minus, but this was more moderate. Conversely, demand increased from France (+9200 / + 1.5%) and Belgium (+7200 / + 2.4%). For overnight guests from Oceania (+6400 overnight stays / + 4.8%) and Africa (+3700 / + 2.9%), the number of overnight stays increased. |
Change of overnight stays to guest country of origin (grouped by continent), Winter season 2017/18 and winter season 2018/19 - Click to enlarge |
| Different development in the tourism regions
Eight of the thirteen tourism regions registered an increase in overnight stays in the tourist winter season compared to the same period of the previous year. Graubünden recorded the largest absolute increase with an increase of 51,000 overnight stays (+ 1.8%). This was followed by the Bern region (+37 000 overnight stays / + 1.9%), Ticino (+ 4.1%) and Lucerne / Lake Lucerne (+ 1.7%) with an increase of 25 000 overnight stays each. Valais (+11 000 / + 0.5%) and Zurich Region (+8000 / + 0.3%) recorded a slight overnight stay. The most significant absolute decline was in Basel Region (-26 000 / -3.4%), in eastern Switzerland (-16 000 / -2.1%) and in the Jura & Three-Lakes region (-11 000 / -3.6%). |
Hotels and health resorts: Monthly development of overnight stays - Click to enlarge |
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