Swiss tourism bets on winter cabin magic

Polished antlers, trimmed sideburns and well-oiled windows are all part of the latest campaign by Switzerland Tourism, which promises its visitors: “We do whatever it takes to make your holiday perfect.”

The organization’s new TV commercial features a cabin crew engaged in all sorts of fussy tasks to prepare for the arrival of winter guests.

“A challenging winter awaits us,” says Jürg Schmid, director of Switzerland Tourism, as experts predict a 3.7 percent drop in hotel business on last winter. However, he and his colleagues are optimistic that people will continue to appreciate the appeal of cozy mountain lodges.

“They’re like a trip back in time where people can forget their daily troubles,” says Schmid. In its online databank, Switzerland Tourism describes 500 mountain restaurant and inns – many of them featuring their local cheese, wine and other regional specialties.

The website also provides a section devoted to all-inclusive deals. Prices start at 47 francs for a night’s dormitory-style accommodation and dinner. Private rooms in lodges with wellness facilities are also available. Most of the packages are for one or two nights; as Schmid says, “The trend is for people to take more short and spontaneous trips.”

Meanwhile, those who prefer self-catering accommodation clearly aren’t alone. The numbers for winter chalet and apartment rentals look promising, according to Simon Lehmann, CEO of Interhome AG.

“Last year was a record, and we’ve already got one per cent more bookings now than the total figure for last winter,” says Lehmann. His business has benefited from the poor economic situation in two ways.

First of all, the demand for self-catering accommodation is growing because it tends to be cheaper than a hotel. Secondly, there are more holiday home owners offering up their property for rent.

“It’s clear that many owners are forced to rent out their holiday homes in order to generate income,” says Lehmann. This means that for the first time, Interhome is able to offer more “five-star” resort accommodation as well as more flats in the Zurich and Geneva areas.

Interhome has also experienced a boom in online bookings; 61 percent of 2009’s reservations were made online, compared with 49 percent in 2006. Lehmann says he hopes that online sales will increase even more.

Telecommunications technology is a boon for Switzerland Tourism, too. Starting in December 2009, people can access the new “SwissSnow” application on their iPhones. “SwissSnow” will offer weather forecasts, current photos and trail reports.

Meanwhile, MySwitzerland.com is teaming up with Google Street View so that visitors can see exactly what they’re getting before they book.

Wellness resorts are also in the spotlight this winter. The new guide published by Switzerland Tourism covers 62 hotels, with a particular focus on the spas of Baden, Bad Zurzach, Charmey, Engadin Scuol, Gstaad, Leukerbad and Weggis-Vitznau-Rigi.

Last but not least, Switzerland Tourism has come up with some fun ideas like ice fishing and igloo adventures. In January, children under six can ski for free in Saas-Grund.

And for those willing to enjoy their winter holidays in late autumn already, there are good deals to be snapped up – particularly in larger hotels looking to boost their pre-Christmas figures. These top offers grant discounts of up to 35 per cent. As with any early-bird deal, though, it’s first-come, first-served.

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