Tourism Swiss hoteliers have mixed feelings about the winter season
Hoteliers in Switzerland are cautiously optimistic about the coming winter season, especially in the Alpine regions. However, rising costs and staff shortages continue to pose major challenges.
11.11.2024, 11:06
11.11.2024, 11:13
SDA
Most Swiss hoteliers are anticipating the upcoming winter season with a mixture of caution and optimism. In the Alpine regions in particular, there is confidence that turnover will remain stable or even increase. This positive expectation is supported by the hope of favorable weather conditions and good snow conditions. In contrast, expectations in urban and rural regions are more cautious.
According to a statement from the Hotelleriesuisse association, around 56% of hoteliers expect turnover in the 2024/25 winter season to remain at the previous year's level. This would mean stagnation at a high level, as the number of overnight stays reached a record high of 18 million in the previous year. A quarter of those surveyed even expect a further increase in revenue.
Challenges due to rising costs
However, the industry is facing considerable cost increases. Looking back, 55 percent of hoteliers reported lower margins in the last summer season. The increased costs could only be partially passed on to guests. According to the hoteliers, the main reasons for the higher costs are increased staff costs, energy prices and general inflation.
In the coming winter season, only around a third of businesses are planning to increase prices, while half want to keep prices stable. Around 15 percent of hoteliers are even considering price reductions. These price adjustments are motivated less by demand than by the need to remain competitive.
Staff shortage as the biggest challenge
Another significant problem is the ongoing staff shortage, which a clear majority of hoteliers describe as the biggest challenge. These staff shortages impair operational processes and make planning reliability more difficult.
In addition, changes in the composition of guests and the short-term nature of bookings are causing uncertainty. Climate change is also seen as a major challenge for the industry.
The survey that provided these findings was conducted by around 160 members of the Hotelleriesuisse association between October 25 and 31, 2024.
