Last year more tourists came to Switzerland from China than from traditional visitor countries such as Italy, the Netherlands or Japan.
โWeโre looking at 830,000-840,000 overnight stays by Chinese guests in 2012,โ Daniela Bรคr from Switzerland Tourism told the NZZ am Sonntag newspaper.
In total, 600,000 Chinese tourists came to Switzerland, an increase of 25% on the previous year.
Most tourists to Switzerland still come from Germany, but Bรคr says because their number is declining, that could soon change.
โThe rapidly growing middle class in China offers a massive potential for Switzerland, which enjoys an excellent image over there,โ she said.
โWe think a quadrupling of Chinese visitors within ten years is realistic.โ
At present the most popular destinations for the Chinese are Lucerne, Interlaken, Zurich and Geneva.
โWeโre now organising new tours throughout the country so other regions can also benefit, such as Engadine, Valais, Ticino and Appenzell,โ Bรคr explained.
The watch industry is one of the main beneficiaries of this Chinese boom, according to consultants KPMG. Many Chinese tourists prefer to buy luxury watches here because they know they wonโt be buying an imitation.
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- In total, 600,000 Chinese tourists came to Switzerland, an increase of 25% on the previous year.
- The watch industry is one of the main beneficiaries of this Chinese boom, according to consultants KPMG.
- โWe're looking at 830,000-840,000 overnight stays by Chinese guests in 2012,โ Daniela Bรคr from Switzerland Tourism told the NZZ am Sonntag newspaper.