- Swiss tourism overnight stays are forecast to rise 0.9pc to 18.9m in winter 2026.
- Summer 2026 saw a 0.8pc decline.
- Local Swiss travellers account for nearly half of all overnight stays.
- Overnight stays are forecast to reach 44.2m in 2027.
- Higher fuel costs and Middle East disruptions weigh on Asian arrivals.
Swiss tourism is expected to see modest recovery in the coming winter season after a slight decline in overnight stays during summer 2026. Overnight stays are forecast to rise by 0.9pc to 18.9m, although higher fuel costs and Middle East disruptions continue to weigh on long-haul arrivals from Asia. The forecast follows a 0.8pc decline during the summer 2026 season.
The forecasts were commissioned by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs and published by BAK Economics. Local Swiss travellers account for nearly half of all overnight stays. Domestic growth of 0.9pc partially offset a 2.4pc drop in foreign demand over the summer.
Total overnight stays are forecast to expand by 1.1pc in 2027 to 44.2m and accelerate by 1.3pc in 2028 as international flight paths and pricing stabilise. Alpine sub-regions including Zermatt and Graubünden saw domestic guest increases during heatwaves. The US, Canada, Australia, Brazil and Mexico are seeing surging interest from Swiss luxury and standard segments.
Switzerland and ireland are among the few countries that have seen tourism numbers decline in the post pandemic period.
