Only a few Swiss locations affected by overtourism
Published: Thursday, Jul 4th 2024, 14:40
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Higher prices, littering, traffic problems, scarce living space and environmental pollution can be the consequences of too many tourists. In some regions, it can become too much for the locals. Switzerland Tourism (ST) therefore wants to counteract this with a campaign to strengthen the low season.
There is no "overtourism" in Switzerland, the association explained on Thursday on the basis of a survey conducted in April and May. Only a minority of 5 percent of respondents were concerned about tourism.
And when problems associated with tourism are perceived, inflation, pollution and littering as well as traffic problems come out on top. These are followed by increasingly scarce living space and damage to nature and the environment.
Instead of "overtourism", Switzerland Tourism speaks of "occasional local and temporal bottlenecks". In tourist centers in particular, the respondents also noted "a certain disrespect on the part of tourists" - be it towards the respondents themselves, their families or also towards their own country and the environment.
Lauterbrunnen recently made the headlines as a prominent example. The community of 2,300 reacted to the influx of tourists with signs calling for more consideration.
Strengthen off-season away from the hotspots
The industry and Switzerland Tourism are aware of the problem. "We take these local situations very seriously," Martin Nydegger, Director of Switzerland Tourism, is quoted as saying. The marketing organization has therefore been trying for some time to raise awareness for the low season and for places away from the hotspots.
This is because the number of overnight stays in the Swiss hotel industry is heavily concentrated at peak times in winter and summer. Over the whole year, however, Swiss hotels are only operating at around half capacity.
Together with tour operators, Switzerland Tourism is therefore carrying out promotions directly in the markets of origin, as stated in the press release. Autumn in particular will be put in the spotlight. In addition, Switzerland's diversity is to be showcased worldwide "so that travelers are better distributed".
©Keystone/SDA
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