Travel in Switzerland

Travel in 2021

Travel in Switzerland continued to be severely affected by new infection waves in the country and globally as the COVID-19 pandemic remained the overarching theme for the industry in 2021. With international travel restrictions still in place, the increasing desire to travel among Swiss consumers led to a growing number of domestic trips, particularly to different language regions within the country and smaller destinations.

COVID-19 impact on travel

In general, as the pandemic continued to affect Switzerland and the rest of the world in 2021, the Swiss Federal Council issued a recommendation that the Swiss should avoid unnecessary travel amid the ongoing global health crisis. Moreover, the Swiss Government introduced stricter measures on 8 February, including the requirement for a negative PCR test before boarding a flight to Switzerland and mandatory quarantine when arriving from a high risk region.

Company response to COVID-19 in 2021: Airlines and hotels

Due to the massive decline in passengers since the outbreak of the pandemic and the expectation of limited recovery, Swiss International Air Lines, the country’s main carrier, implemented immediate cost-saving measures. These included a considerable reduction of its fleet, workforce and flights.

Impact of COVID-19 on online bookings and travel intermediaries in 2021

Reluctance and hesitancy among Swiss consumers to book travel activities remained high amid ongoing COVID-19 infection waves and travel restrictions globally in 2021. In view of a dramatic decline in sales and lack of planning certainty, with consumers increasingly booking spontaneously under the changed conditions, many travel intermediaries in Switzerland have had to close outlets and reduce staff.

What next for travel?

Following successful vaccination campaigns in Switzerland and key source markets globally, travel in Switzerland is expected to enter a gradual growth path that will lead to a full recovery by 2024. Domestic tourism is returning first, with travel to European destinations following.