Switzerland Reports Record Numbers

Switzerland is a big hit with Canadians.

According to tourism data from the Swiss Federal Office of Statistics, Canadian arrivals and overnights increased again in 2017 compared to the previous year, concluding in another record year.

The latest numbers show an increase of 11.2% in Canadian arrivals in Switzerland in 2017, for a total of 115,180. According to final 2017 figures, the number of overnight stays was 247,764, an increase of 9.1% compared to 2016 (only overnights in Swiss hotels and youth hostels; vacation homes, other kinds of accommodation and visits with friends and family are not included).

The most popular destinations were the Zurich Region with 68,837 overnights, followed by Geneva Region with 48,457 and the Valais Region with 23,219. With 5,782 more overnights in 2017, the Zurich Region recorded the biggest growth in Canadian visits.

These numbers show that Canada remains an important market for Switzerland.

“We are committed to the Canadian market and pleased to see a new record with the best overnight results in 25 years,” said Pascal Prinz, director, Canada, Switzerland Tourism. “Over the last 18 months we have introduced a new travel agent training program, published our first winter sales manual, increased our presence at travel trade conferences, and hired an additional sales and marketing person for our office in New York, with a focus on the Swiss Travel System, the transportation network of Switzerland. This increased investment in serving and collaborating with the travel trade in North America is paying off.”