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International tourism, number of arrivals - Switzerland

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Swiss tourism statistics 2021

Description

This publication describes the results of the FSO's Swiss tourism statistics for 2021. The first part focuses on tourist accommodation that is partly made up of the hotel sector statistics and partly of the supplementary accommodation statistics. The second section of this publication concerns the survey on the travel behaviour of the Swiss population in 2021. The tourism satellite account, in the third section, gives information on the values measuring the economic influence of tourism in Switzerland. The fourth section of the publication presents a series of economic indicators making it possible to place the findings from the tourism statistics in a wider context.

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Switzerland - International tourism, number of arrivals

The value for International tourism, number of arrivals in Switzerland was 11,818,000 as of 2019. As the graph below shows, over the past 24 years this indicator reached a maximum value of 11,818,000 in 2019 and a minimum value of 6,530,000 in 2003.

Definition: International inbound tourists (overnight visitors) are the number of tourists who travel to a country other than that in which they have their usual residence, but outside their usual environment, for a period not exceeding 12 months and whose main purpose in visiting is other than an activity remunerated from within the country visited. When data on number of tourists are not available, the number of visitors, which includes tourists, same-day visitors, cruise passengers, and crew members, is shown instead. Sources and collection methods for arrivals differ across countries. In some cases data are from border statistics (police, immigration, and the like) and supplemented by border surveys. In other cases data are from tourism accommodation establishments. For some countries number of arrivals is limited to arrivals by air and for others to arrivals staying in hotels. Some countries include arrivals of nationals residing abroad while others do not. Caution should thus be used in comparing arrivals across countries. The data on inbound tourists refer to the number of arrivals, not to the number of people traveling. Thus a person who makes several trips to a country during a given period is counted each time as a new arrival.

Source: World Tourism Organization, Yearbook of Tourism Statistics, Compendium of Tourism Statistics and data files.

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Development Relevance: Tourism is officially recognized as a directly measurable activity, enabling more accurate analysis and more effective policy. Whereas previously the sector relied mostly on approximations from related areas of measurement (e.g. Balance of Payments statistics), tourism today possesses a range of instruments to track its productive activities and the activities of the consumers that drive them: visitors (both tourists and excursionists). An increasing number of countries have opened up and invested in tourism development, making tourism a key driver of socio-economic progress through export revenues, the creation of jobs and enterprises, and infrastructure development. As an internationally traded service, inbound tourism has become one of the world's major trade categories. For many developing countries it is one of the main sources of foreign exchange income and a major component of exports, creating much needed employment and development opportunities.

Limitations and Exceptions: Tourism can be either domestic or international. The data refers to international tourism, where the traveler's country of residence differs from the visiting country. International tourism consists of inbound (arrival) and outbound (departures) tourism. The data are from the World Tourism Organization (WTO), a United Nations agency. The data on inbound and outbound tourists refer to the number of arrivals and departures, not to the number of people traveling. Thus a person who makes several trips to a country during a given period is counted each time as a new arrival. The data on inbound tourism show the arrivals of nonresident tourists (overnight visitors) at national borders. When data on international tourists are unavailable or incomplete, the data show the arrivals of international visitors, which include tourists, same-day visitors, cruise passengers, and crew members. Sources and collection methods for arrivals differ across countries. In some cases data are from border statistics (police, immigration, and the like) and supplemented by border surveys. In other cases data are from tourism accommodation establishments. For some countries number of arrivals is limited to arrivals by air and for others to arrivals staying in hotels. Some countries include arrivals of nationals residing abroad while others do not. Caution should thus be used in comparing arrivals across countries.

Statistical Concept and Methodology: Statistical information on tourism is based mainly on data on arrivals and overnight stays along with balance of payments information. These data do not completely capture the economic phenomenon of tourism or provide the information needed for effective public policies and efficient business operations. Data are needed on the scale and significance of tourism. Information on the role of tourism in national economies is particularly deficient. Although the World Tourism Organization reports progress in harmonizing definitions and measurement, differences in national practices still prevent full comparability. Arrivals data measure the flows of international visitors to the country of reference: each arrival corresponds to one in inbound tourism trip. If a person visits several countries during the course of a single trip, his/her arrival in each country is recorded separately. In an accounting period, arrivals are not necessarily equal to the number of persons travelling (when a person visits the same country several times a year, each trip by the same person is counted as a separate arrival). Arrivals data should correspond to inbound visitors by including both tourists and same-day non-resident visitors. All other types of travelers (such as border, seasonal and other short-term workers, long-term students and others) should be excluded as they do not qualify as visitors. Data are obtained from different sources: administrative records (immigration, traffic counts, and other possible types of controls), border surveys or a mix of them. If data are obtained from accommodation surveys, the number of guests is used as estimate of arrival figures; consequently, in this case, breakdowns by regions, main purpose of the trip, modes of transport used or forms of organization of the trip are based on complementary visitor surveys.

Aggregation method: Gap-filled total

Periodicity: Annual

Classification

Topic: Private Sector & Trade Indicators

Sub-Topic: Travel & tourism

Note: This page was last updated on December 28, 2019

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Tourism in Switzerland

Development of the tourism sector in switzerland from 1995 to 2021.

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Revenues from tourism.

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Switzerland Visitor Arrivals

• Switzerland Visitor Arrivals recorded 638,139 person in Feb 2024, compared with 585,799 person in the previous month
• Switzerland Visitor Arrivals data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1996 to Feb 2024
• The data reached an all-time high of 1,296,908 person in Jul 2019 and a record low of 10,610 person in Apr 2020

View Switzerland's Visitor Arrivals from Jan 1996 to Feb 2024 in the chart:

What was Switzerland's Visitor Arrivals in Feb 2024?

Switzerland Visitor Arrivals recorded 638,139 person in Feb 2024, compared with 585,799 person in the previous month See the table below for more data.

Visitor Arrivals by Country Comparison

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In focus 2022

A road trip with Roger Federer

The tennis star promotes the Grand Tour of Switzerland together with actress Anne Hathaway – and breaks all records.

New market structure

Switzerland Tourism restructured the markets, strengthening agility and resilience for times of crisis.

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Key indicators for 2022

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Statistics about Travel, Tourism & Hospitality in Switzerland

• Tourism employment in Switzerland 2015-2020, by segment
• Hotel / private accommodation online bookings by brand in Switzerland 2023
• Forecast: collective accommodation revenue Switzerland 2008-2018
• Overnight accommodation costs in Switzerland 2015-2017, by month
• Camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks revenue in Switzerland 2012-2022
• Switzerland: turnover of accommodation & food service activities industry 2013-2022
• Forecast: event catering revenue Switzerland 2008-2018
• Forecast: beverage serving revenue Switzerland 2008-2018
• Leading contract catering companies in Switzerland 2017, ranked by sales
• Leading travel catering companies in Switzerland 2017, ranked by sales
• Number of ocean cruise passengers from Switzerland 2011-2021
• Leading German tour operators 2017-2019, by revenue
• Number of tourists from Switzerland in Israel 2018-2022
• Modes of transport chosen by Swiss tourists who traveled to Paris 2017
• Change in flight bookings to Zurich after Brussels terror attack March 2016
• Number of overnight trips by Swiss residents 2019-2022, by destination
• Market share of outbound visits to Switzerland from the GCC 2011-2021
• Forecast: restaurant and mobile food services revenue Switzerland 2008-2018
• Turnover of the food & beverage service industry in Switzerland 2012-2022
• Production value of the food & beverage service industry in Switzerland 2012-2021
• Italy and surroundings: options to eat vegan and vegetarian found by HappyCow 2017
• Activities Europeans people are considering for their summer holidays 2017
• Winter sports tourists in Switzerland in 2022/2023, by country of origin
• Revenue per available hotel room in Zurich 2011-2019
• Number of chain hotels in Switzerland 2020, by hotel scale
• Overnight stays in hotels and spas in Switzerland 2012/13-2022/23
• Bankruptcy likelihood in tourism due to coronavirus (COVID-19) in Switzerland 2020
• Leading hotel chain groups in Switzerland 2018, by number of rooms
• Available capacity of hotels in Switzerland 2007-2019
• Leading hotel chain brands in Switzerland 2018, by number of rooms
• Hotel bedroom occupancy rates in Switzerland 2012-2016
• Number of hotel rooms in Switzerland 2007-2018
• Number of chain hotel rooms in Switzerland 2020, by hotel scale
• Leading hotel companies in Switzerland in 2020, by number of rooms
• Revenue per available hotel room in Geneva 2011-2019
• Number of chain hotel rooms in Switzerland 2019-2020, by chain origin
• Number of chain hotels in Switzerland 2019-2020, by chain origin
• Chain hotel room penetration in Switzerland 2019-2020
• Chain hotel penetration in Switzerland 2019-2020
• Number of chain hotel rooms in Switzerland 2019-2020
• Number of chain hotels in Switzerland 2019-2020
• Number of hotel rooms in Switzerland 2020, by destination
• Leading hotel chain groups in Switzerland 2020, by number of hotels
• Estimated tourism revenue loss due to coronavirus (COVID-19) in Switzerland 2020
• Number of inbound overnight stays in hotels in Switzerland 2010-2018
• Hotel occupancy rate in Geneva 2011-2019
• Average daily hotel rate in Geneva 2011-2019
• Hotel occupancy in Zurich 2011-2019
• Average daily hotel rates in Zurich 2011-2019
• Restaurants and hotels: household expenditure in Switzerland 2008-2018
• Arrivals at hotels in Engadin St. Moritz in 2018/19, by guest's country of origin
• Forecast: hotel accommodation revenue Switzerland 2008-2018
• Average length of stay in hotels in Switzerland 2007-2019
• Number of hotel bed-places in Switzerland 2007-2019
• Overnight stays in hotel accommodation in Switzerland 2010-2022
• Number of hotels and similar accommodation in Switzerland 2011-2021
• Attitudes towards traveling in Switzerland 2023
• Package holiday bookings by brand in Switzerland 2023
• Leading ski resorts in Switzerland 2015/16, by price of a day pass
• Travel frequency for private purposes in Switzerland 2023
• Flight bookings by airline brand in Switzerland 2023
• Number of users of ride-hailing & taxi in Switzerland 2019-2028
• Revenue forecast in selected countries in the Travel & Tourism market in 2024
• Number of users of buses in Switzerland 2019-2028
• Travel frequency for business purposes in Switzerland 2023
• Revenue per user of buses in Switzerland 2019-2028
• Revenue of the trains industry in Switzerland 2019-2028
• eTravel: Penetration rate in the Ride Sharing market in Switzerland 2019 - 2028
• Car rental bookings by brand in Switzerland 2023
• Online Mobility Services market - Average revenue per user in Switzerland 2017 - 2023
• Travel product online bookings in Switzerland 2023
• Revenue of the package holidays industry in Switzerland 2019-2028
• Revenue of the car rentals industry in Switzerland 2019-2028
• Peru: tourist arrivals from Switzerland 2013-2017
• Revenue of the hotels industry in Switzerland 2019-2028
• Number of outbound trips made from Switzerland 2012-2017
• Holiday and leisure travel spending in Switzerland 2012-2016, by destination type
• Travel & Tourism market - Revenue forecast in Switzerland 2020 - 2028
• Participation in tourism in Switzerland 2018, by age group
• Share of international and domestic trips taken from Switzerland 2010-2017
• Number of outbound trips from Switzerland by mode of transport 2017
• Share of luxury tourism in total tourism revenue in European destinations 2020
• Domestic trips taken for personal purpose in Switzerland 2008-2019
• Revenue per user of shared rides in Switzerland 2019-2028
• Travel product bookings in Switzerland 2023
• Penetration rate of buses in Switzerland 2019-2028
• Revenue forecast in the Online Mobility Services market in Switzerland in 2023, by category
• Online Mobility Services market - Revenue forecast in Switzerland 2017 - 2023
• Online Trains & Busses market - Average revenue per user in Switzerland 2017 - 2023
• Penetration rate of trains in Switzerland 2019-2028
• User forecast in the online Mobility Services market in Switzerland 2017 - 2023
• Online Trains & Busses market - Revenue forecast in Switzerland 2017 - 2023
• User forecast in the online Trains & Busses market in Switzerland 2017 - 2023
• eTravel: Penetration rate in the Trains & Busses market in Switzerland 2017 - 2023
• Share of domestic and international tourism revenue in European destinations 2020
• eTravel: Penetration rate in the Mobility Services market in Switzerland 2017 - 2023
• YoY growth rate of tourism revenue in European luxury travel destinations 2020-2024
• Share of domestic and international tourism revenue in European destinations 2024
• Internal luxury tourism revenues in trending European luxury travel destinations 2020
• Share of domestic and international luxury tourism in European destinations 2020

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Expat Info News

Swiss tourism: Which nationalities visit Switzerland the most?

Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office (FSO) has published its annual statistics looking into where tourists visiting Switzerland came from in 2022. As tourism from Germany declined last year, a Swiss tourist office has pointed a finger at a strange culprit: Switzerland’s banking regulations. 

Swiss tourism offices blames banking laws for drop in German arrivals

As is the case for many neighbouring countries, it’s easy for tourists to hop between Switzerland and France, Germany and Austria. Despite this, the number of German tourists heading to Switzerland in 2022 actually declined compared to the previous year, despite the data suggesting that citizens of the Federal Republic are still flocking to nearby Austria. 

So what is Switzerland doing wrong? According to one of the country’s tourism branches, it’s all to do with banking . According to the Luzerner Zeitung , the office thinks that Switzerland’s looser banking secrecy laws are to blame for the decline in German tourism, as before the changes, many Germans would cross the border to settle their finances. 

Despite the fall in numbers, Germans are still the largest group of visitors in Switzerland each year, with many German tourists heading across the border to hike up the Swiss mountains during the summer or visit one of Switzerland’s many ski resorts during the winter. 

Many visitors from USA, few from Belarus

It’s not just the Germans that like to visit Switzerland from time to time, though. According to data from the FSO, the second-largest group of tourists in Switzerland come from the United States, with 962.822 arrivals from American airports from January to November 2022. On the opposite end of the list, the number of Belarusian citizens entering Switzerland was just over 2.000. 

Despite having the largest population in the world, the number of Chinese arrivals in 2022 was just over 51.000, with Switzerland having had fewer Chinese arrivals than those from many smaller countries such as Denmark, the Netherlands or Israel. However, this phenomenon can partly be blamed on the extremely strict COVID arrival and departure procedure enforced by China throughout 2022.

Top and bottom ten countries for arrivals in Switzerland in 2022

According to data from the FSO, these are the nationalities that arrived in Switzerland the most in 2022. 

• 2. United States
• 4. United Kingdom
• 6. Netherlands

While these nationalities visited Switzerland the least in 2022:

• 9. Lithuania
• 10. Estonia

 For the full statistics, visit the Swiss Federal Statistical Office’s website .

Image: Shutterstock.com / Sorbis

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Emily grew up in the UK before moving abroad to study International Relations and Chinese. She then obtained a Master's degree in International Security and gained an interest in journalism....

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Passports & Visas

Every traveler must have a valid passport. Visa are required for a continuous stay of more than three months.

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General Information

Electricity

The voltage in Switzerland, as in most of Europe, is 230V/50 Hz. Switzerland uses type C (2-pin) and Type J (3-pin) plugs. (Type C 2-pin plugs also fit J sockets.) Most power sockets are designed for three pin round plugs. The standard continental...

Public Holidays

Certain public holidays are celebrated throughout Switzerland – such as Easter, Christmas, New Year and Swiss National Day on 1 August . Other public holidays vary from canton to canton; find a detailed list here: Public holidays

Drinking water

The water distributed in Switzerland meets very high-quality standards. Eighty percent of the water comes from underground sources, the rest is taken from the lakes. The establishment of groundwater protection zones makes it possible to distribute...

Telephone and mail

Phoning home and within Switzerland If calling from Switzerland, you need to enter the international country code. For example, for Germany the international country code is "+49", for France "+33". The country code is followed by the area code...

Want to avoid expensive roaming and WiFi charges? Here are a few tips to help you get online in Switzerland without spending a fortune if you have a device with WiFi or a network connection.

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Whether typically Swiss, Italian, Asian or other exotic culinary delights: You can find it all in Switzerland. Regional cuisine is wide and varied. Masterful local chefs create new ways to present traditional treats. Some gain international...

Smoking policy

Since 1 May 2010, smoking has been forbidden in Switzerland in enclosed areas when they are open to the public or serve as a workplace for more than one person. Hence it is forbidden to smoke in restaurants, public buildings and offices. Smoking is...

Alcohol and tobacco

Alcohol is sold in supermarkets. The age limit for the purchase of wine and beer is 16 years, and 18 years for high-proof alcohol. There is no nationwide minimum age for the purchase of tobacco in Switzerland. Depending on the canton, the minimum age...

Important telephone numbers

Emergency Calls: 117 Police   118 Fire   144 Ambulance   1414 Swiss Rescue   112 European emergency number   General inquiries: 1811 General inquiries, e.g. doctors, theatres, etc.    162 Weather...

During the winter, Central European Time (CET) applies in Switzerland. From the end of March to the end of October, Summer Time applies (CET + 1 hour).

Mountain climbing/hiking Both hikers seeking relaxation and experienced mountain climbers find their ideal holiday destination in the Swiss mountains. Good equipment is necessary and the weather forecast should always be studied. Hiking...

Flying drones in Switzerland

Switzerland offers many beautiful places, and we are pleased whenever our guests use their drones to produce films about Switzerland’s sights. Flying drones is not a problem in a lot of places in Switzerland. However, there are a few...

Medical care

Medical care in Switzerland is among the best in the world. You can consult any attending doctor in Switzerland. For emergencies, you may go to the nearest hospital or emergency practice, or in urgent cases, call the ambulance (144). Each hospital...

Emergency numbers

Police: 117 Fire-service: 118 Ambulance: 144 Tox-Zentrum: 145 European Emergeny no: 112  

Pharmacies in Switzerland are marked with the green pharmacy sign. They are generally open from 8:00-18:30 (Monday to Friday) and 8:00-16:00/17:00 (Saturday).  Some pharmacies (often in train stations and airports) are open longer and on...

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If you lose something during your stay in Switzerland, please contact the nearest lost property office.   Lost property offices are usually run by the local municipality. In addition, public transport services have their own lost property...

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You can change money at the following places: Banks Exchange offices Airport Major hotels Exchange offices usually offer better exchange rates than banks. At airports, the rates may be slightly higher than in the city...

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The VAT you pay on purchased goods in Switzerland is 7.7%. You may ask at the shops for your Tax Free Form and reclaim the VAT. Your total purchases in a shop must amount to more than CHF 300 (including VAT). You must be a resident outside...

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Stores In general, most stores are open Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Many stores are closed on Sundays. However, stores are open at train stations, airports and gas...

Whether fashion or practical, boutique, small local store or shopping mall: Switzerland offers a lot for an extensive shopping trip. Of course, chocolate and watches are among the classics when in Switzerland. So is the wide range of cheese. In...

In Switzerland, the guest is not obliged to tip. In many restaurants, however, it is customary to pay a tip. This amounts to approximately 10 percent or it is rounded up to a round amount.

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How do you dispose of rubbish in Switzerland? Will a foreign diploma be recognised? From Switzerland's visa requirements to how the school system works, here you'll find useful tips, facts and links to practical information about Switzerland from SWI...

Security, Criminality and Insurance

Health and Insurance Drinking and eating-out is hygienic and the tap water is safe. Immunization for contagious diseases is only required if the traveler has been in an infected area within 14 days preceding arrival in Switzerland. Personal...

The climate is moderate with no excessive heat, cold or humidity. From July to August the daytime temperature range is 18 to 28 °C (65° - 82° F) and from January to February the range is -2 to 7 °C (28° - 45° F). In spring...

There are 8,7 Mio. people living in Switzerland. Demographic trends are being influenced by multilingualism, the rising average age and the high proportion of foreigners living in the country.

Language distribution

Switzerland has four unevenly distributed languages and a wealth of dialects. German (62.6 %) German is by far the most widely spoken language in Switzerland: 19 of the country’s 26 cantons are predominantly (Swiss) German-speaking. French...

The majority of people living in Switzerland are Christians. 34.4 % are Roman Catholic, and 22.5 % Protestant. There are also many other religions represented in Switzerland: 5.4 % Muslim, 2.6 % Orthodox Christians, 0.5 % Buddhist, 0.2% Jewish. The...

1848: The founding of Switzerland The establishment of the modern state of Switzerland dates back to 1848. Prior to this, Switzerland consisted of a loose alliance of independent cantons. In 1848 Switzerland formed a modern constitution which made a...

The language communities eat different things and have different traditions and customs. Even their shared history only goes back about two centuries. The Swiss themselves are sometimes puzzled about what they have in common apart from their...

Switzerland has an area of 41,285 square kilometres (15,940 square miles). The productive area - that is, the area without the lakes, rivers, unproductive vegetation and no vegetation at all - covers 30,753 square km (11,870 square miles). It...

Switzerland’s economy is based on a highly qualified labour force performing highly skilled work. The main areas include microtechnology, hitech, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, as well as banking and insurance know-how. The service sector now...

Sustainability & environment

Modest as we Swiss are, we rarely mention how sustainable our country really is. Yet Switzerland has so much to offer! Countless rankings offer proof of this. Switzerland regularly scores above average in international studies when it comes to...