Swiss Lift Co’s Report Good First Half Of Summer Season

The good start to the summer season, which Seilbahnen Schweiz was able to communicate a month ago, continued in the hot and very sunny July. Compared to the same period last year, the industry has so far generated 50% more sales and 40% more first-time entries. In a 5-year comparison, the figures for Switzerland as a whole are 20% and a good 10% higher.

After May and June were already sunny and very warm, July was also exceptionally sunny and record-breakingly hot – but also very dry. The hot spells in the Mittelland and the sunny weather again led many day trippers to the mountains in July in search of a fresh breeze.

The 2021 summer season was pretty much the opposite of this year's summer in terms of weather: the months of May to July were cold and rainy, with the exception of Ticino. Thus, after the first half of the summer season for the Swiss mountain railways, it can be stated that the first three months were significantly better than those of the previous year in terms of frequencies and sales. First-time entries show an increase of 40% and turnover throughout Switzerland even an increase of 50% (see Fig. 1).

differences in the regions

The trend of the previous months is continuing: Central Switzerland is experiencing the greatest upswing – it got off to a particularly bad start last year. In addition, the international guests in summer 2021 were even fewer than this year. But the Bernese Oberland, Valais, Eastern Switzerland and the Waadtland and Friborg Alps also score with clearly positive signs.

Graubünden is still slightly up on the previous year, although it should be noted that Graubünden was less affected by the bad weather last year. This also applies in particular to Ticino, which was able to record pleasing frequencies last summer and is therefore now reporting a minus of 15% compared to July 2021.

Comparison with the 5-year average

The change compared to the nationwide five-year average is a good 10% for first-time entrants and 20% for sales. With an increase of around 60%, the Vaud and Friborg Alps are at the top of the regional podium. Compared to the five-year average, however, Ticino is also one of the winners