This Is How Switzerland Aims To Avoid Overtourism And Crowds. Credit: Canva
While tourism is a significant economic driver for many countries around the world, there are significant downsides of excessive tourist influx as well. And Switzerland, a key destination for travellers around the world, is keen to manage tourist influx. Their solution? Shifting the spotlight to the beauty of the off-seasons and promoting lesser-known destinations.
According to reports, Switzerland Tourism officials told a press conference in Zurich that they want “to direct holidaymakers to the right places, at the right time”. Their strategy hinges on two main approaches:
Promoting the Allure of Shoulder Season
While there is no apparent problem of overtourism as of now, the agency’s chief Martin Nydegger said there are “temporary and localised bottlenecks, well known to the industry”, as per a report by AFP. For example, to deal with the sudden influx of Asian travellers to the village of Iseltwald in central Switzerland, which featured in South Korean Netflix series “Crash Landing on You”, the authorities imposed a fee of five Swiss francs ($5.55) on tourists who wished to visit the famous pontoon from the series.
Switzerland’s postcard-perfect scenery isn’t exclusive to peak summer. Shoulder seasons, spring and autumn, offer vibrant landscapes with blooming wildflowers or ablaze with fall foliage, which the agency wants to promote through outdoor activities like hiking and biking.
Hidden Gems
Look beyond the iconic Matterhorn. Switzerland Tourism is promoting off-the-beaten-path destinations like the luxury winter ski resort of Davos-Klosters. This approach not only distributes tourist footfall but also allows visitors a more immersive and authentic Swiss experience. This shift isn’t purely promotional. Switzerland Tourism is collaborating with tour operators to curate special packages too.