2.1 Tourist accommodation in Switzerland
2020 and 2021 were marked both nationally and internationally by the health and economic crisis linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. The various measures taken by Switzerland and foreign states have had a direct influence on the tourism sector as a whole and more particularly on the tourist accommodation sector. The statistical results for these years reflect the negative impact of this exceptional situation on this sector often with very “extreme” values that have never been seen in the past. It is not possible to list measures taken at international level. However, a timeline of the measures taken in Switzerland provides good context for interpreting results.
Timeline:
2020
End
of February: The Federal Council declares Switzerland as being in a “special situation”. Events, conferences and seminars are cancelled for the first time.
March: The Federal Council declares an “extraordinary situation”. The partial lockdown starts. Restaurants, shops, markets, leisure facilities and businesses where distance rules cannot be respected must close. However hotels remain open. Border checks are enforced with all neighbouring countries.
May: Easing of some health measures. Shops, compulsory schools, museums, libraries, restaurants and sports halls can gradually reopen but with strict health protection measures.
June: The Federal Council puts an end to the extraordinary situation. Leisure facilities and other tourist attractions can reopen. Spontaneous gatherings of up to 30 people are allowed again as is the organisation of demonstrations of up to 300 people. Restrictions on entry into Switzerland are lifted for all Schengen states.
October–
November: Start of the second “wave” of COVID-19. Progressive reintroduction of cantonal and federal health measures.
December: The epidemiological situation worsens. The Federal Council reinforces health measures. “Non-essential” shops, restaurants, leisure and sports facilities and cultural centres are closed. Ski resorts remain open, however, as do hotels and their facilities (restaurants, gyms, spas, etc.) available to their guests.
2021
February: The Federal Council opts for a phased exit from lockdown.
March: Reopening of all shops, museums, libraries, outdoor recreation areas.
April: Reopening of terraces, cinemas, theatres and football stadiums under strict conditions.
End of May: Restaurants and spas can reopen and public events can accommodate up to 300 people.
June: The conditions for entry into Switzerland are relaxed from 28 June. The entry ban is lifted for travellers from non-Schengen countries if they are vaccinated.
September: 4th wave of COVID-19, gradual reintroduction of cantonal and federal health measures.
December: Enhanced enforcement of the indoor vaccination certificate and mandatory teleworking.
2022
Mid
February: Lifting of the main measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Only the isolation of people testing positive and the compulsory wearing of masks on public transport and in health establishments were maintained until the end of March 2022.
2.1.1 Demand in tourist accommodation
In 2022, tourist accommodation in Switzerland, which includes the hotel and supplementary accommodation sectors, recorded a total of 55.6 million overnight stays (G2.1.1), i. e. 21.3% more than in 2021. With this result, demand for tourist accommodation in Switzerland returned to an almost pre-pandemic level. Although it still lagged 1.1% behind 2019, demand in 2022 was slightly higher (0.5%) than in 2018. In 2022, the hotel sector accounted for the greatest share in demand for tourist accommodation with 68.7% of overnight stays recorded.
2.1.2 Swiss and foreign demand
In 2022, Swiss clientele accounted for 60.0% of the overnight stays recorded in Swiss tourist accommodation (G2.1.2). Following a slight decline in 2020 (–3.7%), Swiss demand rose sharply in 2021 (+21.3%), easily exceeding the figures of 2018 and 2019 (+20.0% and +16.8%, respectively). It then declined in 2022 (–2.6%), but was still much higher than in the period before COVID-19. Following a historic drop of 61.9% in 2020, foreign visitors increased again (+13.1%) in 2021, rising dramatically in 2022 (+91.8%). It was however, below 2018 and 2019 levels. Among foreign visitors, European guests generated the most overnight stays in 2022, accounting for 27.8% of total demand. The greatest demand in supplementary accommodation came from Swiss guests (70.9%) (G2.1.2). These guests also account for the greatest share in the hotel sector, although a markedly lower one (55.1%) (G2.1.2).
Did you know?
Asian visitors accounted for 5.3% of overnight stays in tourist accommodation in 2022.
2.1.3 Breakdown for monthly demand
In 2022, the greatest number of overnight stays in tourist accommodation in Switzerland was recorded in the months from June to September (G2.1.3). 25.2 million overnight stays were counted in these four months alone, i. e. more than 45% of the annual demand.
2.1.4 Change in demand in the countries neighbouring Switzerland
In comparison with the European results (EU), Swiss tourist accommodation in 2022 showed a similar, albeit less marked trend, with an increase of 21.3% (compared with 49.7% in the EU) compared with 2021. All other neighbouring countries also saw bigger increases than that seen in Switzerland.
In 2022 in the EU and in Switzerland, the number of overnight stays generated by non-residents rose sharply (+105.5% and +91.8% respectively, compared with 2021). In contrast to the EU (+23.4%) however, in Switzerland overnight stays by residents recorded a decline (–2.6%). The neighbouring countries saw a strong increase in overnight stays by residents.
2.2 Hotel sector results
2.2.1 Supply in 2022
In 2022, there were, on annual average, 4020 open hotels and health establishments in Switzerland, corresponding to 131 486 rooms and 257 641 beds available (G2.2.1a). The number of open establishments in 2022 was slightly higher than in 2021 (3919) but still well below the number seen in 2019 (4234). Due to the COVID-19 crisis, a large number of establishments closed temporarily in 2020 and 2021. The distribution of establishments differed between tourist regions. In 2022, Graubünden had the largest proportion (14.3%), followed by the Bern Region (13.0%). The national average capacity of a hotel establishment was 64.1 available beds (G 2.2.1b).
Did you know?
The Zurich Region was the tourist region with the most rooms in Switzerland, with 20 050 available rooms.
2.2.2 Overall change in supply
In 2022, a total of 4498 establishments and 143 312 rooms were surveyed in the hotel sector in Switzerland. The number of establishments decreased slightly in comparison with 2021 (–76 establishments/–1.7%) (G2.2.2a), whereas the number of rooms saw a slight increase (+570/+0.4%). At the level of the tourist regions, the supply in terms of establishments, was down in eleven of the thirteen regions between 2021 and 2022. In the remaining two regions, the supply increased by only one unit. With regard to rooms, seven out of thirteen showed a lower number of rooms than in the previous year.
Over a comparative period of 10 years (G2.2.2b), the number of surveyed establishments diminished greatly. In 2013, the number of surveyed establishments totalled 5191 in Switzerland, corresponding to a decline over this period of 693 units (–13.3%). In terms of the number of rooms, an increase (+3120 rooms/+2.2%) can be observed for 2022. Over the same period, twelve tourist regions saw their supply in terms of establishments decrease. Eastern Switzerland registered the greatest decline with 133 fewer establishments (–12.3%). As far as rooms are concerned, seven tourist regions showed an increase. The Zurich region showed the greatest growth (+4241 rooms/+25.6%). In contrast, the decline was most marked in Eastern Switzerland (–1263 rooms/–12.3%).
Did you know?
Of the thirteen tourist regions, Geneva is the only one in which the number of establishments has remained stable over the last decade, while the number has fallen sharply in all the other regions.
2.2.3 General trend in demand
To better appreciate the results of the demand in the hotel sector in Switzerland, these should be correlated with the striking economic events which have occurred over the past ten years.
The effects of the global economic crisis in 2009 had an impact on demand in the years that followed. At national level, 2011 was characterised by a strong rise in the Swiss franc’s value against the Euro and other currencies. On 6th September 2011, the introduction of the minimum exchange rate by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) stabilised exchange rates, which nonetheless remained far lower than in previous years. On 15th January 2015, the SNB announced the end of the minimum exchange rate, resulting in renewed strength of the Euro compared with the Swiss franc. In the following two years, although the Euro regained some ground against the Swiss franc it never reached its pre-2015 level. From the end of February 2020, the pandemic completely changed society and the economy. Both the national and international tourism sectors were very negatively affected by this exceptional situation. Even if the measures against the pandemic in Switzerland and in many countries were somewhat reduced in 2021, the negative effects on the tourism sector were still very strong. The situation began to return to normal in 2022, but some negative effects remain.
Over the past ten years, the total number of overnight stays in hotels and health establishments in Switzerland has been subject to various trends (G2.2.3a). Growth was seen for the years 2013 (+2.5%) and 2014 (+0.9%), but for the years 2015 (–0.8%) and 2016 (–0.3%) overnight stays fell. A strong improvement in demand was seen in 2017 (+5.2%) which continued in 2018 (+3.8%) and in 2019 (+1.9%) with a total of 39.6 million overnight stays recorded, i. e. a level never seen before until now. In 2020, demand fell by a historic 40.0% to 23.7 million overnight stays. For the same year, with the exception of January (+7.1) and February (+7.0), very sharp monthly falls could be observed, ranging from –91.8% in April to –24.9% in July. Although the COVID-19 situation persists in 2021, the health measures are less severe than in 2020. 2021 therefore saw a recovery in demand and totalled 29.6 million overnight stays, an increase of 24.6%. While for the first two months of the year significant decreases in overnight stays were observed compared with the same period in 2020, demand increased strongly between March and June. The peak was reached in April with an increase of over 800%. In July, growth in demand slowed down (+6.4%) and then increased again very markedly between August and December to reach the levels seen in 2019 (G2.2.3b). In 2022, demand continued to grow, reaching 38.2 million overnight stays, an increase of 29.4% (+8.7 million) compared with 2021. All the months in 2022 showed relatively strong increases in demand compared with 2021, ranging from 8.1% (August) to 73.2% (January). Although the first seven months of the year were still lower than in 2019, the last five months of the year saw the highest number of overnight stays ever recorded in the last three decades. With these results, demand has recovered to pre-pandemic levels with a greater number of overnight stays than in 2017. It remains, however, slightly lower than in 2018 (–1.5%) and 2019 (–3.3%).
Did you know?
With 22.5 million overnight stays, the 2022 summer tourist season (May to October) comes just after 2019 (–0.8%), the best in the last 30 years.
2.2.4 Change in domestic and foreign demand
Looking back on the past 10 years, foreign and domestic demand in the hotel sector has not always followed similar trends (G2.2.4). In 2013, a positive trend was observed for both types of demand. This continued in 2014. Although the increase in overnight stays for Swiss guests continued in 2015 and 2016, demand from foreign visitors declined once again. In 2017 and 2018 both foreign and domestic demand increased. This situation continued in 2019 and a rise of 1.1% was registered for foreign visitors and of 2.9% for Swiss visitors. The total overnight stays by foreign guests (21.6 million) as well as those by domestic guests (17.9 million) reached record levels in 2019. In 2020, foreign demand fell drastically to 7.3 million overnight stays (–66.1%), while domestic demand totalled 16.4 million overnight stays, which is a significant (–8.6%/–1.5 million) but less drastic decline. However, demand picked up again in 2021, especially for domestic customers (+27.9%), who far surpassed the record level of 2019 with a total of 21.0 million overnight stays. With a total of 8.6 million overnight stays, foreign demand also increased (+17.1%) but still remained far lower than in 2019. Domestic demand remained stable in 2022 at 21.1 million overnight stays (+0.5%), a new record. With 17.2 million overnight stays (+99.8%), foreign demand doubled in 2022 compared with 2021. However, foreign visitors’ overnight stays were 20.6% lower than in 2019.
Following 2020, a year marked by a dramatic fall in demand and recovery in 2021, monthly trends in domestic demand in 2022 were varied whereas for foreign demand they were extremely positive (G2.2.4b). The first three months of the year saw the number of Swiss overnight stays increase, markedly so in January (+42.9%) and in March (+23.4%), compared with 2021. Then, with the exception of June (+5.9%) all months declined between April and October, peaking in August (–13.3%). As far as the last two months of 2022 are concerned, growth in domestic demand returned (+7.5% in November and +2.9% in December). Growth in foreign demand was strong throughout the year, but particularly in the first half of the year, with increases close to or above 200% depending on the month. Growth slowed in the second half of the year, but the increases remained strong, ranging from 41.1% (November) and 101.4% (July).
Did you know?
In June 2022, foreign demand rose by 247.1% compared with June 2021.
2.2.5 Change in demand by continent of residence of guests
In 2022, demand from Europe (excluding Switzerland) registered 11.1 million overnight stays, representing an increase of 61.6% (+4.2 million overnight stays) compared with 2021 (G2.2.5a). Despite this strong growth, the number of overnight stays for this clientele in 2022 was still lower than in 2019 (–9.5%). The largest contributors to this growth were the United Kingdom and Germany (+1.0 million each; +308.9% and +39.4% respectively). The result of the European continent should also be seen in a longer-term context. Following the global economic crisis in 2009 and the strong appreciation of the Swiss franc against the euro in 2011, demand from the European continent fell steadily until 2016. It then stagnated until 2019 and never recovered to its pre-2009 level.
After a drastic fall in demand (G2.2.5c) by Asian visitors in 2020 (–89,2%), recovery was observed in 2021 (+35.3%). Growth intensified in 2022 with an increase of 1.8 million overnight stays (+232.8%) and reached a total of 2.6 million units. The main contributors to this increase were the Gulf States (+395 000/+92.9%) and India (+304 000/+399.9%). Despite this strong growth, the number of overnight stays by Asian visitors was still more than 50% lower than in 2019. This can mainly due to the demand of Chinese visitors, who with 119 000 overnight stays in 2022 was still far behind the level of 2019 (–91.4%), when these visitors generated 1.4 million overnight stays.
A sharp increase could also be observed in demand by visitors from the American continent in 2022 (+2.2 million overnight stays/+260.7%). The strongest growth came from clientele from the United States (+1.7 million/+276.8%). Demand from this continent was still slightly lower than in 2019 (–8,0%) but was greater than in 2017 (+7.9%). Lastly, overnight stays from the African continent (+141 000 overnight stays/+152.7%) as well as those from Oceania (+191 000/+931.7%) grew significantly but remained below pre-pandemic levels.
Did you know?
In 2022, demand by visitors from the United States of America reached its second highest level for the past 30 years. Only 2019 had a higher level.
2.2.6 Change in demand by tourist region
In 2022, all tourist regions in Switzerland, with the exception of Ticino (–12.9%), recorded increases in overnight stays compared with 2021. The largest relative increases were observed in the city regions. Geneva showed the highest increase (+94.5%), closely followed by the Zurich region (+89.0%). The Basel region saw its overnight stays increase by 57.9%. Compared with 2019, only four tourist regions had a higher level of demand in 2022, namely Ticino (+10.6%), Jura & Three Lakes (+6.4%), Graubünden (+5.9%) and Eastern Switzerland (+4.2%).
In terms of domestic demand, all tourist regions showed an increase in results ranging from +8.4% for Vaud to +51.2% for the Zurich region. Declines in demand ranged from –28,7% for Ticino and –3,2% for the Lucerne/Lake Lucerne region. All thirteen tourist regions had a higher level of domestic overnight stays than in 2019.
Regarding foreign demand, in 2022 all tourist regions showed strong growth compared with the previous year, the lowest increase standing at +40.5% for the Aargau and Solothurn region. Foreign demand nevertheless remained well below that of 2019 in all tourist regions.
Did you know?
In Geneva in 2022, almost three-quarters of demand came from foreign guests (73.2%).
2.2.7 Duration of stay
In 2022, visitors stayed an average of 2.09 nights in hotels and health establishments in Switzerland. Foreign visitors (2.22 nights) stayed longer than Swiss visitors (1.99 nights). Although results for 2022 declined when compared with 2021 and 2020, they were still higher than those observed during the previous ten years (G2.2.7a) for foreign guests and those since 2015 for Swiss visitors.
Among the tourist regions, Graubünden recorded the longest average stay in 2022 with 2.71 nights (G2.2.7b). In contrast, the shortest length of stay was observed in the Fribourg Region (1.60 nights). As at national level, the length of stay was longer for foreign clientele than it was for domestic visitors in all tourist regions excluding Ticino. The greatest difference was observed in Graubünden where foreign visitors stayed for an average of 3.14 nights whereas Swiss visitors stayed for 2.54 nights.
2.2.8 Occupancy rate of rooms
In 2022, the net room occupancy rate was 51.6% (G 2.2.8), an increase of 10.2 percentage points compared with 2021. However, it remains below the 2019 level (55.2%). Of the thirteen tourist regions, only Ticino (53.9%/–5.5 points) saw a decrease in occupancy. Geneva recorded the highest rate (56.7%/+22.5 points). Despite these increases, only four regions (Ticino, Eastern Switzerland, the Fribourg Region and Graubünden) had a higher occupancy rate than in 2019. The city regions of Zurich, Geneva and Basel showed the biggest negative difference compared with 2019.
2.2.9 Change in demand in the countries neighbouring Switzerland
In the EU in 2022, overnight stays in the hotel sector increased by 63.5% (G2.2.9). Large increases were also observed in Switzerland’s neighbouring countries.The growth in overnight stays in Switzerland was less significant (+29.4%).
Domestic demands also rose sharply in the EU (+32.8%), as in Switzerland’s neighbouring countries, whereas it remained stable in Switzerland (+0.5%). Demand from non-residents increased greatly in the EU (+120.8%), in neighbouring countries, and in Switzerland (+99.8%).
2.3 Supplementary accommodation results
In the supplementary accommodation sector, the statistic covers three main types of accommodation: commercially-run holiday homes, collective accommodation and campsites. In order to present information from the supplementary accommodation sector as comprehensively as possible, the results are broken down by each type of accommodation.
2.3.1 Supply in supplementary accommodation
A) Holiday homes
In 2022, a total of 28 511 commercially run holiday homes were surveyed in Switzerland (G2.3.1). This represents capacity of 138 466 beds. If we consider the distribution of holiday homes by Switzerland’s seven major regions, the Lake Geneva Region has the largest share with 45.8% of the total. This was followed by Eastern Switzerland with a share of 27.2%.
B) Collective accommodation
At national level, there were 2255 collective accommodation units, i. e. a total of 108 368 beds were surveyed for the year 2022 (G2.3.1). At major region level, Espace Mittelland had the greatest share of establishments (26.4%) closely followed by Eastern Switzerland (26.2%) and the Lake Geneva region (23.7%).
C) Campsites
The total number of campsites surveyed in Switzerland in 2022 was 398, i. e. 28 420 rental pitches for passing guests (G2.3.1). In terms of distribution at major region level, Espace Mittelland (27.9%) and the Lake Geneva region (24.9%) recorded the largest number of establishments.
2.3.2 Demand in supplementary accommodation
A) Holiday homes
Commercially-run holiday homes accounted for the majority of overnight stays in supplementary accommodation in 2022 with 44.0%. With 7.7 million overnight stays (G2.3.2.1a), demand increased by 1.3% compared with 2021, exceeding that of 2019 (7.3 million) and 2018 (7.5 million). Domestic demand fell by 15.8% to 5.0 million overnight stays. This drop is due to the frequent use made of this type of accommodation by Swiss visitors in 2020 and 2021 as a result of the restrictions imposed by COVID-19. By way of comparison, the level of overnight stays in 2022 was 15.5% higher than that of 2019. The decline in domestic demand was offset by strong growth in foreign demand, which rose by 63.6% to 2.7 million overnight stays. Guests from Europe (2.2 million, i. e. +49.8%) accounted for 83.7% of overnight stays by foreign visitors. Among the seven major regions, Lake Geneva region recorded the greatest demand with 3.1 million overnight stays (G2.3.2.2a).
B) Collective accommodation
Although overnight stays in collective accommodation rose sharply in 2022 (+46.2% to 4.9 million), they remained below pre-pandemic levels. Over the year as a whole, their number remained 13.2% lower than in 2019 (5.7 million). In 2022, domestic customers generated 4.1 million overnight stays, an increase of 35.0%. Foreign clientele (80.5% from Europe) generated 832 000 of these stays (+146.4%). Eastern Switzerland tops the list of major regions (G2.3.2.2b) with 1.3 million overnight stays.
C) Campsites
After last year’s record 5.4 million overnight stays, demand at campsites fell by 10.7% to 4.8 million. The rise in foreign demand (+51.8% to 1.6 million) was unable to offset the decline in domestic customers (–25.3% to 3.3 million). European visitors accounted for the bulk of foreign demand, at 97.2%. Espace Mittelland was the major region with the highest number of overnight stays (1.2 million), followed by Ticino (1.1 million).
Did you know?
In 2022, Swiss visitors accounted for 67.7% of demand at campsites.
2.3.3 Breakdown of monthly demand
A) Holiday homes
In 2022, overnight stays in holiday homes (G2.3.3a) is concentrated mainly between January and March (42.5% of annual demand) and in July and August (24.5%). November accounted for only 1.3% of the total demand.
Did you know?
In holiday homes, February alone accounted for 19.4% of the annual number of overnight stays in 2022.
B) Collective accommodation
The monthly breakdown of demand in collective accommodation in 2022 shows that more than half of overnight stays (51.2%) are generated in summer, i. e. between June and September (G2.3.3b).
C) Campsites
Showing strong seasonal variation, demand in campsites was unsurprisingly almost entirely concentrated over the summer period (G2.3.3c). Just over 80% of overnight stays (82.7%) were recorded between May and September 2022.
2.3.4 Duration of stay in supplementary accommodation
A) Holiday homes
The average length of stay in holiday homes in Switzerland reached 5.93 nights in 2022 (6.52 in 2021) (G2.3.4a). However, this value varied by major region. In Eastern Switzerland it was 6.89 nights (6.73) and in Ticino 6.50 nights (6.74), i. e. the longest durations at this regional level. In contrast, the Northwest Switzerland region registered the shortest value with 2.68 nights (4.52).
B) Collective accommodation
In 2022, the average length of stay in collective accommodation nationally was 2.41 nights (2.35 in 2021) (G2.3.4b). Among the major regions, Zurich registered the longest stay with 2.67 nights (2.78). Conversely, the shortest length of stay was seen in Central Switzerland with 2.13 nights (2.31).
C) Campsites
For campsites, the average length of stay in 2022 was 2.92 nights (3.21 in 2021) for the Swiss territory (G2.3.4c). This duration reached 4.14 nights (3.99) in Ticino, i. e. the highest among all the major regions. The shortest length of stay was in Zurich with 1.85 nights (1.94).
2.3.5 Change in demand in the countries neighbouring Switzerland
In 2022, overnight stays in the EU in the supplementary accommodation sector increased by 31.7% (G2.3.5). Switzerland recorded a 6.6% increase in demand, i. e. a smaller rise than that of the EU and also of neighbouring countries.
Overnight stays by residents increased in the EU (+12.2%), as did those in neighbouring countries, whereas in Switzerland the demand of this clientele saw a sharp downward turn (–7.4%). Demand from non-residents rose sharply in the EU (+80.9%), in Switzerland (+68.9%) and in neighbouring countries.
