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Switzerland records a 6.2% increase in UK overnights for 2013

With an increase of 6.2% overnight stays in Swiss hotels the UK was the fastest recovering priority market of Switzerland in 2013. And the British guests brought winter tourism to Switzerland 150 years ago.

After a challenging time visitors from the UK market to Switzerland is finally on the increase again. With a rise of 6.2% in hotel overnight stays compared to the previous year, the UK is the fastest recovering priority market of Switzerland Tourism. Furthermore for December 2013 an increase of 11.1% in overnight stays was registered. The UK is the second largest foreign market for Switzerland Tourism behind Germany. 1’640’091 British overnight stays in hotels in Switzerland were generated in 2013.

Switzerland and the UK – a history
The history of British guests travelling to Switzerland dates back more than 150 years ago. In fact they are credited for bringing winter tourism to the Alpine country. In the autumn of 1864 the Swiss hotelier Johannes Badrutt is said to have made a legendary bet with his British summer guests. He challenged them that they would love the winter in the Swiss alpine resort of St. Moritz and would even be able to sit in short-sleeves, soak up the sun and get tanned. If this would not be the case, he would pay for their travel expenses. The British came, stayed the whole winter and thereby founded winter tourism – so the legend goes. Switzerland Tourism will celebrate ‘150 years of winter tourism’ in the winter 2014/15 and in order to commemorate the anniversary will launch a “Thank you Britain” campaign.

A further achievement of the British is the first ascent of the famous Matterhorn, which is now Switzerland’s most well-known mountain and a national icon. On 14 July 1865 Englishman Edward Whymper was the first person to successfully climb the Matterhorn. This significant 150th anniversary cementing the close relationship between the British and Switzerland will be celebrated in the summer of 2015.

Photo caption: St. Moritz, Switzerland.

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Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.

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