lake-Lucerne-in-Switzerland
· Over 227,482 overnight stays recorded between July &
December 2021 compared with 188,384 during the same period in 2019, UAE
arrivals also up 14% to 85,632 from 75,084
· Switzerland Tourism to launch ‘Swisstainable’ summer 2022 campaign
According to the latest
figures released by Switzerland Tourism, UAE
residents staying overnight in Switzerland have surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
Comparing figures between July to December 2021 with the same period in 2019, the
number of bed nights recorded, increased 20.8% from 188,384 to 227,482. The
number of UAE arrivals also grew from 75,084 to 85,632, during the same period,
2019 versus 2021.
“These are extraordinary
figures and underscores the popularity of Switzerland with Emirati nationals as
well as residents. From the moment that UAE residents were allowed to travel to
Switzerland (28th June 2021) we have seen a significant increase in
the volume of visitors and the length of stay has also grown from an average of
2.5 nights per visitor to 2.66,” commented Matthias Albrecht, GCC director for
Switzerland Tourism.
The substantial increase
in numbers is supported by a recent survey conducted by YouGov, which in its
2022 Travel and Tourism Brand and Destination Rankings Report, highlighted
Switzerland as the top-ranked overseas destination for UAE residents. YouGov’s
index gave Switzerland a positive impression score of 31.6 a year-on-year
increase of 17.9%, ahead of Singapore (30.9), Canada (28.6) and the Maldives
(27.6).
In further welcome news
for UAE travellers to Switzerland, on the 17 February 2022, the Swiss federal
government announced that visitors from the UAE are no longer required to
provide an entry form, vaccine certificate, or negative PCR test.
“UAE visitors can now
enjoy the endless attractions Switzerland has to offer, from natural scenery
and outdoor pursuits to delicious local cuisine and immersive cultural
experiences. With regulations eased, masks and COVID certificates are not
needed when entering shops, restaurants, cultural venues, and other public
settings and events,” added Albrecht.
Looking ahead to the 2022 summer season, Switzerland Tourism is planning a massive marketing campaign, which will focus on sustainability or in other words ‘Swisstainable’.
Travellers today care
deeply about the environment, according to a
Booking.com 2021 global survey, 83% of the 29,000 respondents said that
sustainable travel was essential to them, with 61% adding that the COVID-19
pandemic had actually heightened their interest in traveling sustainably.
However, it’s not always
easy to find sustainable options, something Google recognised in September 2021. After confirming third-party
authentication, Google started labelling hotels as “Eco-Certified” in their
global search results. This was in response to the increasing number of searches
for keywords associated with eco-travel - the term “green hotel,” had apparently
quadrupled over the previous 18 months.
Switzerland is renowned
the world over for its sustainable development, especially
for its public transport system, which reaches each and every sightseeing spot
by train, bus or boat - it is right at the heart of Swiss tourism and ‘Swisstainable’
is a solid commitment to empower tourists to make informed choices on their
path to a greener future.
The
‘Swisstainable’ programme is designed as a simple and informative guide for visitors,
which also encourages the industry as a whole to get involved and reduce its
impact on the climate. Accessible and inclusive, ‘Swisstainable’ is open to all
Swiss tourism operators, based on various criteria, with three participating
tiers.
Level 1 – Committed, Level 2
– Engaged, Level 3 – Leading.
Alongside the practical
guidance provided by ‘Swisstainable’, more general recommendations include: 1.
Get up close to nature 2. Experience the local culture in an authentic way 3.
Consume regional products 4. Stay longer and delve deeper.
“Protecting the
environment provides perfect synergy with Switzerland as a travel destination
and taking an eco-friendly approach doesn’t mean fewer opportunities to
explore. Instead, sustainable tourism invites you to travel more consciously
while expanding your horizons,” added Albrecht.
