Swiss Alps add Chinese pop for tourists
Updated: 2015-12-05 14:36
(Agencies)
|
|||||||||||
Asian tourists walk past a luxury watch shop in the alpine resort at Interlaken, Switzerland, Nov 17, 2015. [Photo/Reuters] |
Chinese are buying Swiss watches. Emiratis are enjoying hallal barbecue cruises on the clear Alpine waters of Lake Thun.
The top four sources of visitors after the Swiss themselves are now China, the Gulf countries, South Korea and India. European countries are out of the top five, probably for good, says tourism director Stefan Otz.
The town of 6,000 began courting Asian visitors two decades ago, giving it a head start over rivals. Now, it counts on an annual "Ramadan bump".
Overnight stays by Gulf country visitors were up by nearly half in Interlaken from July through September compared to the same period last year, thanks in part to lures like prayer rooms and Arabic-speaking hotel staff.
Branding the 3,500-meter high glacier pass as the "Top of Europe" has helped transform it into a must for Asian visitors. Jungfraubahn Holding, which runs the railway up the mountain, increased its half-year earnings in 2015 despite lagging ski ticket sales and fewer EU visitors.
Chinese popstar G.E.M. performed a concert at 3,454 meters atop the Jungfraujoch glacier this summer. Local officials and show sponsor Tag Heuer, the watchmaker, hope a broadcast in China boosts the region's appeal.
Jehovah's witnesses offer pamphlets in Chinese between Interlaken's most famous watch shop and its bus depot, waiting for the 200-300 Chinese visitors who arrive each day. They cannot read the hanzi characters on the forms, they said, but have learned a few phrases in Chinese.
The China tourism boom helped the world's biggest watchmaker, Swatch Group, boost sales by half in July and August in tourism hot spots Interlaken and Lucerne, Chief Executive Nick Hayek told the newspaper Tages-Anzeiger.
Interlaken's advances contrast with other Swiss Alpine destinations like jetset favorite Saint Moritz and World Economic Forum home Davos, where overnights are falling. For the traditional European winter sports market, the resorts of France, Austria or Italy can provide more up-to-date amenities as well as better value.
"In the last 20 years, Switzerland has made too few changes. It's made too few developments to meet the needs of new guests," said Urs Wagenseil, professor at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts' tourism institute. "To say, 'It's gone well until now. It will be enough in the future,' simply won't do anymore."
But tourism can work at Switzerland's price levels, given the natural audience for its extraordinary landscape. Urs Grimm, director of Interlaken's flagship five-star Victoria-Jungfrau Hotel, said the challenge is creating an experience, which the Swiss can still deliver.
Related Stories
Company begins major refit of cruise ship in Shanghai 2015-12-05 10:39
China to become Australia's biggest international tourism market: report 2015-11-10 09:51
Chinese tourists to Britain sets record with promising future 2015-10-17 15:11
Outbound tourist flows from China rise 2015-08-29 07:20
Tourists look to western China, lured by rich heritage and mystery 2015-10-22 09:57
Today's Top News
10 major programs to boost China-Africa co-op
Putin sees positive trends in Russia's economy
Russian and Turkish finance ministers hold talks
Xi in South Africa to boost China-Africa cooperation
SOEs face headwinds as 21% witness profits decline
President Xi arrives at South Africa for state visit
China ready for risks after yuan included in SDR
Premier League coaches to aid China's soccer goal
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Xi just needs to turn up for a grand welcome |
Stepping up |
Rural families still hope for male heirs |
Blue skies over Beijing ... for now |
V-Day parade for 70th WWII anniversary |
Tianjin blasts: Death, damage and bravery |