2023-12-24 20:37:44
Christmas usually marks the start of the peak winter season in mountain resorts. A craze which is confirmed once more this year: hotels, chalets and apartments are almost full. It seems that inflation has had little impact, except on the length of stays, which is decreasing.
With the snow falling very early in the season, the first tourists are already here, like this family from England who are spending a week in the mountains for Christmas.
“We chose Switzerland because we’ve been here before, we know it’s beautiful, we love skiing and we’ve always had a good time.”
The snow also boosted reservations. Thus, open for just a year, a hotel at the foot of the slopes is almost full. “The occupancy rate is 98%, which is pleasing.”
The reduction in purchasing power does not visibly slow down tourists.
“It seems that tourists still want to travel. Whether they will spend a little less on site, that is the question. But reservations, in hotels and para-hotels, are very good for the coming season and that “is very gratifying”, explains Beat Eggel, director of the Valais Hotel Association, in the 7:30 p.m.
Shorter stays
In the chalets too, customers are there. But the duration of their stays is decreasing, notes Cédric Suchy, founder of Phoenix Immobilier & Gérance. “Finally, tourists, especially the Swiss, favor short stays. We are 3 and a half days away in 2023.”
Traders are also preparing to welcome this influx of visitors. “In this ‘small fridge’ is the reserve for the next two weeks with 60-70 wheels of raclette cheese,” explains Horst Kulhanek, cheesemaker in Anzère.
The sun, which looks bright in the coming days, is the last ingredient for a successful start to the season.
Reportage TV: Claudine Gaillard Torrent
Adaptation web: lan
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