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Switzerland Tourism in India, buoyed by almost 25 per cent growth into that country last year, is rolling out the red carpet further with big and novel promotions, new destinations, special packages and infrastructure targeted at Indian travellers.
It expects to repeat the same growth rate in 2011 in ‘overnight stay' spends by Indians, according to Mr Michael Maeder, Managing Director, Switzerland Tourism.
The India tourism promotional expense is to go up by 35 per cent. Next to China, “India is one of the fastest growing markets for Switzerland Tourism,” Mr Maeder said on Thursday. South India would be pursued aggressively, he said.
The ‘overnight' or hotel stays could touch five lakh tourists this year compared to four lakh in 2010, both from individual and MICE or business travellers. Last year was a very successful year for Switzerland Tourism in spite of the economic slowdown and saw almost 25 per cent growth from the country.
New destinations
The new additions are Ticino on the southern or Italian side and the French-speaking Lake Geneva, called the Swiss Riviera.
The agency hoped to have Mr Yash Chopra, veteran Bollywood film-maker who frequents Switzerland and shoots there, to next put Ticino on his agenda.
Swiss Tourism would tie up with television channels Star Plus and NDTV Good Times to promote its destinations. An online blitz was being planned to project Swiss tourist spots via the iPhone, Facebook and Twitter.
Apartment options
Swiss Tours, a subsidiary of Swiss International Airlines in India, is coming up with 7,800 apartment options at Rs 2,000/person per night this year.
According to Ms Ritu Sharma, Deputy Director-India, Bangalore was high on the agenda for setting up a Swiss consulate for the South; Switzerland was a part of the Schengen visa agreement and would make it easier for European travellers.
Destinations like Mt Pilatus, Mt Titlis, Jungfraujoch, Glacier 3000, Schilthorn and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise were expanding their restaurant, hotel, seminar and entertainment offers for Indians.
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