According to the annual published data of the Federal State Statistics Service, Switzerland was visited:
2014 year - 286 000 Russian tourists
2015 year - 234 074 Russian tourists
2016 year - 228 571 Russian tourists
2017 year - 239 000 Russian tourists
The number of tourists from Russia, who arrived in Switzerland in 2017, increased by more than 13%, according to Switzerland Tourism Office. More often the Russian tourists choose holidays in the cities and at ski resorts. On the first position is the region of Zurich, on the second - the canton of Geneva, followed by the resorts of the cantons of Valais, Graubunden and the region of Lake Geneva. In large cities Russians spent 16,464 nights (+ 9.1%), in small towns – 60,043 (+ 14.1%), in the mountains – 113,996 (6.4%), in non-urban areas – 13,669 nights (+4.1%).
Tour operators confirmed the significant increase of demand of Switzerland among Russian tourists in the summer 2017 in comparison with the summer 2016 from 20 to 70% in different companies.
The most popular destinations in Switzerland for clients of Russian Express and BSI Group tour operators in the summer season 2017 are Montreux, Lausanne, Lucerne, Weggis, Interlaken, Zurich and Geneva. At these places city tours are in great demand.
Among the most popular ski resorts for Russians are Zermatt, St. Moritz, Leukerbad, Verbier, resorts in the region of Lake Geneva (Villars, Les Diablerets and others) and Bernese Oberland (Grindelwald, Gstaad, Wengen).
According to PAC Group operator, the interest of tourists for summer holidays in the mountains has grown significantly. "We noted the growing demand for the thermal resort of Scuol, as well as a great interest for active recreation, for example - bike routes. Traditionally, excursion tours around Switzerland and rest on lakes, as well as panoramic touts by Swiss rail ways - Chocolate Train, Glacier Express, Gottard-Express are popular.
Interest for panoramic tours in Switzerland is confirmed by tourists of BSI Group. Also good demand could be noted for individual sightseeing tours by panoramic trains.
As for flight programs, tour operators offer today trips to Switzerland mainly by regular flights of Russian and foreign airlines: Aeroflot and Swiss Air.
As a rule, the bulk of organized tourists traveling to Switzerland are wealthy families with children, couples and individual travelers.
Significant changes in the preferences of tourists concerning the hotels in comparison with the season 2016 did not happen: organized tourists from Russia in Switzerland in 2017 traditionally chose accommodation in 4-5 stars hotels, where breakfast is usually included in the price of accommodation.
The average price for Switzerland in 2017 increased and amounted up to 1,700 Euros per person, whereas in 2016 it was 1,450 Euros. “We connect an increase of the average price with the fact that tourists began to order more additional services and excursion programs in addition to the base tour", - BSI Group concluded.
The Swiss National Tourist Corporation in Moscow promotes Switzerland as a tourist destination for Russians.
