Swiss tourists are currently staying clear of Turkey, Tunisia and Paris and are instead “staycationing” in Switzerland, where they feel safer. Paris was a favourite destination for the Swiss until the terrorist attacks in November. In the first quarter of the year, the number of nights spent by Swiss in the French capital plummeted by 20%. “You only become aware of security when you no longer have it,” said Christian Lasser, a professor of tourism at the University of St Gallen. “Comparatively safe countries such as Switzerland then have an advantage.” Within Switzerland, popular areas among Swiss holidaymakers include Ticino, the Lake Geneva region, canton Graubünden in the eastern part of the country and the Bernese Oberland, according to Urs Eberhard, vice-director of Swiss Tourism. “We’ve received very good feedback. The booking figures for this summer are very good,” he said. Strong franc Many Swiss have already gone on holiday at home this year. The ...
