Switzerland: Positive Summer For Lift Co’s

The summer of 2022 will go down in the annals as a slightly above-average year for Swiss cable cars. Compared to the five-year average, summer sales were 13% higher and first-time admissions were 5% higher. The summer started and ended warmer than average and sunny. Compared to the previous year, when corona measures were still in place and the weather was significantly less good, sales are a good quarter higher and first-time admissions almost a fifth higher.

The summer season got off to a particularly sunny and warm start, cooled off at the end of September and warmed up again extraordinarily towards the end of the season. October – the last month of summer monitoring – was the warmest in Switzerland since measurements began. For once, the warm weather wasn't a reason to go to the mountains. Rather, the Swiss population enjoyed the mild autumn more often in the lowlands. Across Switzerland, the increase in sales is 27% and the increase in first-time entries is 18% compared to the previous year.

Differences in the regions

Central Switzerland, the Bernese Oberland and the Vaud and Friborg Alps were able to record very large increases compared to summer 2021. Central Switzerland, which relies heavily on guests from distant markets, was able to benefit the most from the renewed international travel fever this year (+71% in sales and +43% in first-time visitors). There were also more visitors and sales in Eastern Switzerland this summer. The Valais and Graubünden show similar figures as in 2021, only in Ticino it was worse this year than in the previous year.

Comparison with the 5-year average

For the Swiss ropeway industry, 2022 was a slightly above-average summer when compared to the five-year average: +5% in first-time entrants and +13% in turnover. Here, the Vaud and Friborg Alps clearly stand out with an increase of around 40%.