Switzerland is open for travel, and they’re welcoming Canadian visitors.
Switzerland Tourism is taking part in its first cross Tourism launches its first cross Canada roadshow focusing on Canadian travel trade and media from May 30 to June 3. Eleven Swiss suppliers from Andermatt, Basel, Engelberg / Mount Titlis, Interlaken Tourism, Jungfrau Region, Mount Pilatus, Mount Schilthorn, SWISS/Lufthansa Group, the Swiss Travel System, Ticino, and the Valais Matterhorn region will visit Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver to present new experiences, hotels and offers.
I had the pleasure of visiting Basel, Lucerne and Engelberg/Mount Titlis last fall and absolutely loved both. Basel is an artsy, beautiful city with great food and a compact, walkable downtown. It’s also right on the Rhine River, which is lined with lovely parks and regal architecture. Engelberg/Mount Titlis is truly one of the most spectacular places I’ve ever seen, with a deep green valley that’s surrounded by towering, craggy mountains on almost all side. A gondola trip to the top of Mt. Titlis is an astonishing ride. Lucerne is one of the prettiest cities in Europe, complete with a famous covered bridge and terrific outdoor cafes.
Basel, Switzerland. Photo Courtesy Switzerland Tourism.
This summer, Titlis mountain station is being turned into a SpaceCamp – the starting point for a whole host of exciting daytime and night-time events. At over 3,020 metres above sea level, everything feels a little more intense and the conditions are perfect for spectacular views beyond the horizon and off into space. And all of this in the middle of a stunning glacial landscape that can also be explored below ground.
“Canada is a crucial market for us,” said Pascal Prinz, Director for Switzerland Tourism in Canada. “We are proud to support travel advisors and tour operators with our first Switzerland Travel Experience in Canada. We are excited to finally meet our valued partners in person again, inspire them with experiences and thank them for their tireless dedication and hard work.”
Speaking at an event in downtown Toronto on Wednesday night, Prinz said Switzerland is a great destination with wonderful wine, delicious cheese and happy people, as well as “an amazing culture.”
With no tests and no quarantine restrictions, Switzerland is open for travel. SWISS/Lufthansa Group and Air Canada have been ramping up their flight schedule to 95% of 2019, offering direct flights to Zurich and Geneva from Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary this summer.
Recognizing the need for competent travel advice, Switzerland Tourism is also launching a new digital tool called MySwitzerland Pro.
Prinz explains: “We have learned during the pandemic how circumstances and bookings can change so we need to be nimble and support the travel trade industry in their work. To better achieve this, we are launching a new digital match-making tool called MySwitzerland Pro which is an excellent resource for tour operators or travel advisors to search deals on room nights, train tickets or city tours. The tool is particularly useful in the event of a short-term cancellation of a big group at a Swiss supplier for example. MySwitzerlandPro can help travel trade to quickly find Swiss incoming tour operators and commissionable experiences based on season, group size and passions.”
Old Town Ascona is a lovely spot in the Ticino district of Switzerland. Photo Courtesy Switzerland Tourism.
Travel professionals are also invited to join the Switzerland Travel Academy and become a certified Switzerland Travel Experts at www.myswitzerland.com/trade.
Here are some new developments/attractions in Switzerland.
Ticino Region – Corippo’s “Albergo Diffuso” in the Verzasca Valley opened Easter 2022
The little hamlet of Corippo in the Verzasca Valley with just 12 inhabitants opened its doors for Easter 2022 as an “Albergo Diffuso”. Just like the Italian hospitality model, 5 rustici spread throughout the village have been converted into rooms with a total of 26 beds, the narrow streets almost acting as a kind of hotel corridor and the Osteria doubling up as both a reception and meeting point with a panoramic terrace to while away the hours. In keeping with the idea of sustainability, the construction of this innovative hotel project will both preserve the historical architecture of this typical Ticino hamlet and promote tourism, thereby ensuring the continued survival of the village. Corippo’s Albergo Diffuso is ideal for visitors wanting to discover more about life in an authentic Ticino village, seek refuge from everyday stresses and strains and love getting to know locals when on holiday but whilst still enjoying the services provided by a modern hotel sector. The Albergo Diffuso is run by couple Désirée Voitle and Jeremy Gehring. The native Frenchwoman is qualified in hotel management and is responsible for the reception and room service. Her husband comes from the French-speaking region of Switzerland where he worked for several star chefs – his realm is the kitchen where he prepares and astounds guests with Southern Alpine specialities made with local produce. The village’s youngest inhabitant is Ernesto, the couple’s 2-year-old son. The family cannot wait to get going and start welcoming the first holidaymakers to Corippo. www.corippoalbergodiffuso.ch / ticino.ch/corippo
New suspension footbridge in Region Dents du Midi – Valais Matterhorn Region
This new footbridge, which opened in July 2021, overhangs the Vièze and links the heart of the village of Troistorrents to Chenarlier. With a length of 185 meters and a height of 75 meters, this footbridge allows to propose a new route for soft mobility and to secure the drinking water supply of the Chenarlier district. The footbridge is open all year around with free access.
The new GoldenPass Express launching December 2022 – Interlaken and Swiss Travel System
A long-held dream comes true in December 2022 when the GoldenPass Express opens up a direct connection from Montreux to Interlaken. The wonderful panoramic route takes in Lake Geneva, Gstaad and the typically Swiss Simmental valley, also passing Lake Thun all the way to Interlaken. With the Prestige class you get to take in the views with bigger windows, seats and a meal service. The line is an extension to the equally memorable Brünig line that links Lucerne and Interlaken with the Lucerne-Interlaken Express.
Jungfrau in the Bern Region – The new Alpine Design Resort Hotel Bergwelt Grindelwald
Swiss flag near Grindelwald, Switzerland. Ronnie Schmutz/Unsplash Photo
Enjoy an overnight stay in the newly opened Swiss Premium Alpine Design Resort Bergwelt Grindelwald in the heart of Grindelwald village in the Jungfrau Region. The 90 rooms, suites and 5 chalets touch all the senses with locally designed furniture, schramm box spring beds, private balconies & dornbracht rain showers. For maximum relaxation, the Hotel offers exclusive access to the 800m2 Fire & Ice Spa and Uphill Only Gym. In addition to that, guests can choose between international and traditional Swiss cuisine where community crackles and tradition feeds inspiration. It’s location on the main street of Grindelwald is just a 4-minute walk to the Grindelwald-First valley station and a short bus ride or 7-minute stroll to the train station in Grindelwald. Local art and sculptures accent this design inspired property.
Building the world’s steepest cableway – Schilthornbahn in the Bern Region
This April, the construction of the renovation of the Schilthorn Cableway has begun. The “Schilthornbahn” will upgrade the visitor’s experience to the Schilthorn for the future. In addition to replacing the existing lines, the project includes a direct link between Stechelberg in the Lauterbrunnen Valley and the charming car-free resort of Mürren. Once complete, this will become the world’s steepest cableway. It will cover 775 metres in altitude difference and 1194m in length with a stunning 160% incline! The new line is scheduled to open in December 2024.
Draft horses for the future: new railcars for Pilatus-Bahnen AG in the Lucerne Region
With the wide variety of leisure activities on Mount Pilatus, Pilatus-Bahnen AG offers «2,132 opportunities above sea level». Two aerial cable ways, two hotels, five restaurants, the steep-est cogwheel railway in the world and the biggest rope park in central Switzerland provide for exciting excursions and exceptional seminar and banquet options.
For more information, www.myswitzerland.com.
