Switzerland Tourism has launched its 2017 summer campaign. Held at
Centennial Homestead located within Sydney’s Centennial Parklands,
LATTE and other guests heard about Switzerland Tourism’s three new concepts: ‘
My Swiss Experience‘, ‘
Wildlife Watching‘ and ‘
Alpine Huts‘.
Tying in with Switzerland Tourism’s overarching marketing focus for the next two years – that is, ‘Back to Nature’ – these segmented themes aim to not only inspire nature and outdoor lovers to discover the many different experiences on offer around Switzerland, but also encourage city-dwellers to take a break and reconnect with Mother Nature.
According to the Director of Switzerland Tourism AU & NZ, Mark Wettstein, these themes address the growing interest and demands from travellers when visiting the country. “While many of our visitors are well acquainted with Switzerland’s no-filter-required picturesque landscape as well as the cheese, chocs and clocks, interests in other authentic experiences are growing,” says Mark. “Travellers are looking for new and different activities, knowledge and involvements to enhance their journey and itineraries; and getting to know or interacting with locals to learn about their ways of life is a major appeal.”
Switzerland has consistently enjoyed a steady stream of visitors from Australia and New Zealand with year-on-year growth averaging 4% over the last three years. The first quarter of 2017 alone has seen a 14% increase in
AU&NZ overnights in the country. (Total overnights from AU & NZ in 2016 was 323,000).
According to Mark, the country’s ongoing success in gaining numbers is its wide appeal to the many different niche interests among travellers today; and this is reflected in the tourism body’s continuous marketing efforts to
focus on emerging trends.
My Swiss Experience
A direct response to the growing demands from travellers to familiarise with the local ways of life,
My Swiss Experience offers visitors the opportunity to explore the country and its regional diversity via various experiences and encounters, both new and old, hosted by locals. Travellers researching online will find more than 700 suggestions, all of which are listed and searchable via categories including interests, regions, duration, seasons and other filters.
Wildlife Watching
Wildlife Watching offers animal-lovers a range of encounters with the Swiss wildlife. More than 100 day packages (ranging from 1 to 7 hours) are available, where, accompanied by professional guides, visitors will get to see and learn about the behaviour of the likes of ibexes, chamois, vultures, beavers and many other species in their natural habitat. Visitors can be assured that all tours are committed to the protection of wildlife
and environment.
Alpine Huts
Alpine Huts offer visitors the chance to stay close to nature and away from the hustle and bustle of city life. For the very first time, travellers have direct access to traditional alpine huts that have been used for generations as summer residences by local cheesemakers or shepherds and their animals. While some huts have been luxuriously refurbished, most huts remain in their original form without mod-cons such as dishwashers, hot tubs, cable TV or broadband. As such, visitors are encouraged to truly detach themselves from their modern-day lifestyle and reconnect with the natural surrounds.
Simply put, “Nature wants you back!”
