Barinder Saluja, Chandigarh, Jan 12 : Delegates of Switzerland Tourism were her in Chandigarh to promote their tourism campaign in India. Switzerland tourism in India chalked up a very successful year in spite of the economic slowdown. Testimony to which was the 24.8% growth in total overnights from India resulting in a total of 4,00,000 overnights spent by Indians in Switzerland. Also with Switzerland becoming a part of the Schengen visa agreement which added to the ease of travellers, both India and China have emerged as the fastest growing source markets for the country.
Enthused by this growth Switzerland Tourism have targeted a further 25% growth in overnights spent by Indians in Switzerland for 2011 and look set to achieve the same with the increasing participation and promotion by new partners like Ticino and the Lake Geneva Region as well as more focus on the promotion of Switzerland as a MICE destination.
Commenting on the growing trend of Indian tourists to Switzerland, Mr. Michael Maeder, Managing Director, Switzerland Tourism India said, “India is one of the fastest growing markets for Switzerland Tourism worldwide. We sincerely value the cooperation of the travel trade in India and are committed to working closely with them to promote the various products that we have to offer to the Indian outbound.”
Max Van Beurden, Directeur des ventes, Ramanda Park Hotel, Gene’ve, Switzerland and Beatrice Dolder of Gene’ve Tourisme told the media persons that Switzerland is land of scenic beauties and non French speaking people are heartly welcomed. Hotels in Switzerland have largly started serving Indian and Hindu food keeping the likes and dislikes of the Indian community.
Switzerland Tourism is introducing two new regions as partners – Ticino, the Italian speaking region in the south of Switzerland which has a Mediterranean lifestyle with Swiss quality and the French speaking Lake Geneva Region parts of which are known as the Swiss Riviera. Together with these new destinations, Switzerland Tourism is also planning to spend an additional 35% towards marketing expenditure to boost growth in India.
The diverse linguistic, culinary, architectural and musical traditions shape the Swiss culture in different parts of the country such as the cities of Basel, Zürich, Geneva and Lucerne and these continue to find new offers for the Indian traveller. Mt Pilatus, Mt Titlis, Jungfraujoch, Glacier 3000, Schilthorn and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise all built up at over 3,000 meters above sea level are now expanding their restaurant, hotel, seminar and entertainment offers for Indian travellers with special packages dedicated to families, children and honeymooners.
Swiss International Airlines now has daily flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Zürich and onwards. To ensure a richer travel experience for the Indian traveller, Swiss Tours, a subsidiary of Swiss International Airlines in India, is set to offer 7,800 apartment options in Switzerland from 2011. The apartments can be booked on a weekly basis and will be available from as low as Rs. 2,000/ – per person per night.
Switzerland Tourism is also planning to focus more on the promotion of Switzerland as a MICE destination: “We have received some very good feedback from Tour Operators, meeting planners and guests alike and are committed to grow both the Free Individual Travelers (FIT), Meetings and Incentive Groups (MICE) and honeymooners segments with a conscientious investment of time and monies on these sectors, “Michael Maeder, Managing Director, Switzerland Tourism added.
In an effort to further boost Indian tourism traffic to Switzerland, Swiss Tourism is taking part in the Outbound travel road show which will visit Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore and Mumbai this year together with 12 tourism partners ranging from Swiss cities and regions to mountain excursions and the travel system. Understanding the importance of the Tier II and III cities, Switzerland Tourism will also undertake specific sales tours to train the travel agents to be able to sell Switzerland more confidently. Switzerland Tourism is also set to launch a brand new eLearning Module online to help further the cause.
Besides working with the print and electronic media, Switzerland Tourism is also planning an online media campaign to propagate the benefits of holidaying in Switzerland especially on the Swiss Travel System with Rail Europe. Not to mention the Switzerland Tourism iPhone apps, the Facebook community, at www.MySwitzerland.com/facebook and twitter both of which provide guests with real-time news updates, events and new programs, services and special offers etc., besides providing guests with an online forum to discuss their experiences.
Switzerland is the holiday destination that offers its guests authentic experiences, from the sight of a spectacular mountain panorama and the fragrance of an Alpine meadow to a
refreshing dip in a natural pool. Nowhere else will you find a world of experiences. And more than this is the fact that this wonderland of scenic mountain trails with opportunities for hiking and bicycling, golfing, and cosmopolitan experiences that offer plenty in the way of gourmet dining, sophisticated culture and nightlife, incorporates a unique cross-cultural confluence like no other in the heart of Europe.
Wherever you go, a refreshing, enjoyable and unforgettable experience awaits you.
About Switzerland Tourism
Switzerland Tourism (ST) is a federal public corporation. Its mission, as decreed by a Federal Resolution of 16 December 1994, is to promote Switzerland as a holiday, travel and conference destination both at home and abroad. ST’s principal activity is to develop and implement effective marketing programmes, as well as to position Switzerland in international markets as a strong, modern but timeless brand. The company is managed according to business criteria focused on markets’ needs and clients’ satisfaction. The Board comprises 13 representatives from the tourism sector, and from business and political circles. Around 220 employees work in Switzerland and in 28 countries around the world.