Switzerland brought in unprecedented tourism revenues last year. Keystone/Urs Fürler
Revenues from foreign tourists in Switzerland grew again last year, and spending by Swiss citizens on international travel also increased – in both cases exceeding pre-COVID records.
This content was published on 28 June 2024 at 13:45
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Tourists visiting Switzerland are set to generate a total of 18.4 billion Swiss francs ($20.5 billion) in revenue in 2023, a 12 percent increase on the previous year, according to a tourism receipts table published on Friday by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). Meanwhile, Swiss residents spent 20.2 billion Swiss francs on travel abroad, also up 12 percent.
With these new figures, both Swiss tourism spending and spending by Swiss citizens on international trips have reached new records: the previous figures stood at 18 billion Swiss francs and 18.8 billion Swiss francs respectively.
According to initial estimates by the FSO, the tourism balance will total a deficit of 1.8 billion Swiss francs in 2023, compared with a loss of 1.7 billion Swiss francs the previous year. This means that the Swiss spent far more on travel abroad than foreign tourists in Switzerland.
Increase in foreign guests
According to the FSO, the number of foreign visitors to Switzerland is set to continue to grow in 2023, with an increase in overnight stays especially in the higher price range. This is also reflected in increased revenues from accommodation in hotels, parahotels and private holiday accommodation.
The FSO also observed an increase in hospitalizations and study abroad facilities. The increase in study abroad facilities was driven by an increase in university enrolments among expatriates. Overall, revenue from overnight travel increased by 19%.
However, the data showed that receipts from non-overnight travel fell 3.8%. Consumer spending on day trips and transit trips fell 13%, while spending by cross-border commuters and short-term visitors increased again by 5.4%.
+ Read more: Swiss village of Lauterbrunnen considers Venetian-style tourist entrance fee
Swiss tourists are big spenders
The Swiss also proved keen to travel last year: Spending on overnight trips increased by nearly 17%, according to the FSO. The Swiss spent 15.1 billion Swiss francs on overnight trips abroad, roughly three-quarters of total tourism expenditure.
Meanwhile, shopping tourism is expected to remain stable, with spending on non-overnight travel reaching a total of CHF 5.1 billion in 2023.
Translated from German by DeepL/kc/ts
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