Swiss hotels saw an unprecedented increase in overnight stays in 2023, with 41.8 million registered, marking an increase of 9.2 per cent from 2022.
The latest data from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO) also revealed that domestic demand remained strong, although it slightly decreased by 1.1 per cent, totaling 20.8 million stays. On the other hand, foreign demand increased by 21.8 per cent to 20.9 million stays, nearly matching 2019 levels, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
These numbers reveal that demand increased every month last year compared to 2022, ranging from 2.7 per cent in October to 36.2 per cent in January. In particular, the period from April to December had the highest number of stays in the last thirty years. After a record winter season in 2022/2023, the 2023 summer season reached new highs with 24.0 million overnight stays between May and October.
With a total of 20.8 million overnight stays, domestic demand was slightly down (-224 000/-1,1 per cent) compared with 2022, but the level remained very high. Only the years 2021 and 2022 showed a higher level. This overall decline was mainly due to the months of March to August and October. An increase in overnight stays was seen for all the other months, peaking in January (+18.6 per cent).
Foreign Visitors Increase by 3.7 Million in 2023
According to FSO data, in 2023, despite global uncertainties and a strong Swiss franc, more people stayed in Swiss hotels, especially from other countries. As a result, the number of foreign visitors increased by 3.7 million overnight stays, an increase of 21.8 per cent compared to the previous year. This increase was stronger in the first half of the year, especially in January, when it rose by 65.9 per cent.
Asian tourists, particularly from China, South Korea, and India, played a significant role in this growth. However, compared to 2019, there were still fewer Asian visitors, especially from China.
Visitors from America, the United States, and Europe also added their stays. Oceania and Africa also saw more visitors than before, achieving their best results in thirty years.
Further data from FSO show that most Swiss tourist areas had a record number of visitors in 2023, except Graubünden and Ticino. Zurich, Bern, and Geneva saw the biggest increases.
As the same authority points out, the net room occupancy rate across Switzerland was 55.0, 3.4 points higher than in 2022 and very close to the 2019 rate of 55.2 per cent. Eleven of the thirteen tourist regions saw increased occupancy rates, with the Zurich and Geneva Regions leading the growth. However, occupancy rates decreased in Ticino and Graubünden. Meanwhile, seven regions had higher occupancy rates in 2023 compared to 2019.
