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Swiss Hotels Report Strong Winter Season Growth

Switzerland’s hotel industry experienced an exceptionally strong winter season, with record levels of overnight stays recorded despite a slight slowdown at the end of the period. The latest figures from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) highlight continued resilience in the country’s tourism sector.

Between November and April, Swiss hotels recorded a total of 18.7 million overnight stays, representing a 1.1% increase compared to the previous year. The growth was mainly supported by strong domestic tourism, while international demand showed only modest gains.

Domestic guests accounted for 9.5 million overnight stays, an increase of 1.6%, while foreign visitors contributed 9.3 million stays, rising slightly by 0.5%. This balance shows that Swiss residents played a key role in driving the winter tourism industry.

The months of December, January, and February were particularly strong, with occupancy rates rising by 6.8%, 2.6%, and 2.9% respectively. Popular ski destinations and alpine resorts benefited from favorable winter conditions and steady visitor interest during peak holiday periods.

However, the season ended on a weaker note due to global geopolitical tensions. The outbreak of conflict in the Middle East led to a decline in international travel demand, particularly from Asian markets. Foreign overnight stays fell by 4.8% in March and 5.7% in April, impacting overall momentum toward the end of the season.

Despite this slowdown, Switzerland’s hospitality sector demonstrated strong overall performance, supported by domestic travel and stable winter tourism activity. The results underline the importance of local tourism in maintaining hotel occupancy levels during uncertain global conditions.

Industry experts suggest that Switzerland’s appeal as a premium winter destination continues to remain strong, with alpine resorts and urban hotels both contributing to the country’s tourism success.

The latest figures confirm that Switzerland’s hotel industry remains one of the most stable and attractive sectors in the national economy, even in the face of global challenges affecting travel patterns.

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Swiss Hotels Struggle as Online Booking Platforms Undercut Prices.

Hotels across Switzerland are facing increasing pressure from online booking platforms that often list rooms at lower prices than hotels’ own direct offers, according to a new industry study.

The report, published by Hotelleriesuisse, found that around half of 171 surveyed hotels experienced undercutting in 2025, up from 40% the previous year. In 83% of these cases, hotels said they had not authorized the discounted prices.

Industry representatives warn that such pricing practices force hotels to reduce their own direct rates in order to stay competitive, creating a downward pricing cycle that weakens profitability across the sector.

Hotelleriesuisse director Christian Hürlimann said hotels risk losing control over their pricing and distribution strategies as online travel agencies continue to dominate the market.

Despite direct bookings still accounting for 59% of reservations, platforms such as Booking.com and Expedia remain highly influential in shaping consumer choices and visibility. Booking.com alone handles more than 70% of online hotel bookings, while Expedia accounts for around 15%.

Although price parity rules have been banned, hotels report that online travel agencies still influence pricing indirectly through ranking systems, promotional tools, and discount programs. Nearly 29% of hotels also report direct pricing interventions.

The study further highlights the growing use of “multi-sourcing,” where hotel rooms are resold by third-party platforms, affecting more than half of hotels and further complicating pricing control.

Experts warn that these trends could reduce transparency and profitability in Switzerland’s tourism industry unless stronger regulatory safeguards or industry agreements are introduced.