Overtourism In Switzerland: Authorities Try To Limit Tourist Access In Alpine Lake. (Image: iStock)
In a bid to cope with overtourism, one of Switzerland‘s most iconic spots, Alpine lake, has limited tourist access. Switzerland’s tourism agency recently said that it has been trying to even out the flow of holidaymakers throughout the year to protect the Alpine country from the risks of excessive tourism. While tourism happens to be a significant economic driver for Switzerland, there are multiple downsides to it. With this step, and multiple others, it seems like Switzerland is keen on managing tourist influx.
As of now, the authorities in Zermatt have decided that its time to make a call. While tourists can still come, they will be asked to shepherded towards the lake on marked paths. The main aim is not to avert visitors but to educate them and do good to the alpine environment. They have created alpine garden inside the fences. The narrow walkways allow the visitors to take a closer look at the flowers as QR codes explain what they are.
Meanwhile, earlier, 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 was dependent on two main approaches:
Promoting The Allure Of Shoulder Season
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.
Focussing On Hidden Gems
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.