Swiss solicits tourists from India amidst EU crisis

With the European crisis affecting the flow of tourists from the European countries to Switzerland, the Switzerland Tourism division is focusing on countries like India to sustain growth in tourism sector.

The inflow of foreign tourists from across the world to Switzerland fell 3 per cent, mainly owing to the strength of the Franc against the Euro and the economic crisis in European countries. Meanwhile, tourist inflow from India saw a growth of around 20.3 per cent in the calender year 2011 with overnight spent by Indians in Switzerland at 460,000 mark.

Tourist inflow from European countries has been affected due to the strong Swiss Franc against Euro and the economic crisis, said Ritu Sharma, deputy director and media manager — India, Switzerland Tourism.

Identifying the potential, Switzerland Tourism has set a target of 20 per cent growth in tourist inflow from India to Switzerland in 2012, crossing the 500,000 mark in overnight spent. It has also earmarked an extra budget of Swiss Franc 1 million for tourism promotion activities in India.