The figures speak for themselves: 45 peaks over 4000 metres, 300 days of sunshine, 51 mountain lakes and over 100 mountain railways – the tourist attractions in Valais are impressive. And no less important in this day and age: the landscape offers an almost endless collection of perfect photo motifs for influencers on social media.
Last year, Valais recorded almost four and a half million overnight stays. And that was nicely spread out over the year. 51 per cent of overnight stays were in the winter half-year and 49 per cent in the summer half-year.
The Swiss market is already very important for the Valais tourism region – and is set to grow further. Not least in Lower Valais. For many people in German-speaking Switzerland, however, the French-speaking part of the holiday canton seems very far away. The language barrier can also act as a deterrent. Potential guests don’t want to embarrass themselves in their own country with their rudimentary school French.
At a raclette party in Zurich’s Seefeld district on Thursday evening (23 May), tourism professionals from the Lower Valais put these concerns to one side. They drummed up publicity for Sion, Nendaz, Ovronnaz and the Dents du Midi region – three of them in German and two in English. According to the motto: if you can get by well anywhere else in the world, you can also get by well in Valais.
The presentations centred on various new features that await guests. The cantonal capital of Sion – with around 40,000 inhabitants also the largest town in the canton – is now offering a guided tour of the Valeria hill. The Basilique de Valère is enthroned there. Among other things, it is home to the oldest still playable organ in the world.
In July, a new, attractive accommodation opens in Nendaz: the MAD Retreat Hotel. With chalets, an exclusive spa, vegetarian meals and a wide range of wellness facilities, it is positioning itself as a place of retreat and relaxation.
Cheese fans get their money’s worth everywhere in Valais. But from this year, especially in Ovronnaz. The Odonn cheese dairy is opening its doors for the first time this summer – with guided tours every Friday afternoon. Booking is required.
Bike trails are one of the highlights in the Dents du Midi region. They will soon be in the international spotlight. This August, Champéry will host the European Downhill Mountain Bike Championships, and in September 2025, Champéry will also host the downhill competitions of the Mountain Bike World Championships.
In the Région Dents du Midi, it’s not just fast down the mountain, but also faster up the mountain from this summer. The new gondola lift from Morgins will start operating on 1 July 2024.