The ski lifts got the summer season off to a good start. The branch recorded a 60% increase in turnover and first passages during the months of May and June, in annual comparison, indicates Thursday the umbrella of the sector.
The solid start to the summer season was driven by favorable weather. By mid-May, many hiking trails between 1,500 and 2,000 meters above sea level were already clear of snow, the statement said.
All regions benefited from the upturn, primarily central Switzerland, which saw first-time visitors almost double (+96%) over one year and its turnover jump 142%.
The Bernese Oberland and Eastern Switzerland (more than 50%), the Vaudois and Friborg Alps (+43%) as well as the Valais (+37%) have also clearly progressed in terms of first visits. The last two regions also recorded a strong increase in receipts, more than proportional to the increase in activity (+80% each).
In Graubünden, a very popular region during the pandemic, the progression was more modest, with an increase of 12% for the first visits and 17% for receipts over one year.
International tourism, especially from distant markets, has also made a comeback. The destinations oriented towards this clientele have thus welcomed “many additional guests”, assures the professional association.
Compared to the average recorded over the past five years, first visits are up 20%, as are receipts. The Vaudois and Friborg Alps are the region where growth has been strongest, and both sales and first visits have doubled.
Graubünden, Valais and Eastern Switzerland show a clear increase in receipts, while Central Switzerland is the only region to have suffered a decline compared to the multi-annual average over five years.
/ATS