Tourism Overnight stays in the parahotel industry fell slightly in the first quarter

The Swiss parahotel industry recorded slightly fewer overnight stays in the first quarter. More guests came from abroad, but fewer from Switzerland than a year ago.

Overall, the number of overnight stays in vacation apartments, campsites, youth hostels and SAC huts fell by 1.5 percent to 4.5 million from January to March, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) on Tuesday.

Although guests from abroad accounted for 1.3 million overnight stays, almost 13 percent more than in the previous year, Swiss guests accounted for 3.2 million, 6.3 percent less. And the Swiss still accounted for the majority of all overnight stays counted in the para-hotel industry with a good 70 percent.

Vacation apartments largest segment

Looking at the various segments of the para-hotel industry, most overnight stays were accounted for by vacation apartments. At 3.0 million, they accounted for around two thirds of all overnight stays. Collective accommodation, which includes youth hostels and SAC huts, for example, accounted for 1.4 million, or just under 30 percent.

Overnight stays at Swiss campsites increased by a third in the first three months. However, at around 204,000, they only accounted for a small proportion of all overnight stays.