Comparis / Switzerland: More Expensive Holiday Apartments And Lift Tickets Put A Strain On Leisure Budget
The costs of leisure activities in Switzerland continue to rise. In particular, the prices for holiday apartments, package tours and mountain railways will record significant increases in December 2024. This is shown by the Comparis leisure price index. It measures inflation in the leisure sector. In general, leisure goods have become 0.9 percent more expensive within a year. "Especially in mountain regions, the prices of accommodation and infrastructure are crucial for attractiveness," says Comparis expert Adi Kolecic.
In December 2024, prices for leisure goods in Switzerland rose by 0.9 percent compared to the same month last year. This is shown by the leisure price index of the online comparison service comparis.ch. It shows how inflation has developed in the areas of leisure and culture as well as gastronomy and travel in Switzerland. The national consumer price index (CPI) of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) shows a current annual inflation rate of 0.6 percent*. The average annual inflation rate for 2024 of the Comparis leisure price index is 1.5 percent (CPI: 1.1 percent*). In 2023 it was 3.5 percent (CPI: 2.1 percent*).
Air travel prices are falling
Various leisure products are cheaper in 2024 than in 2023. For example, air travel: "Flying was significantly cheaper than in the previous year, especially in the second half of the year. This is pulling the leisure price index down," says Comparis mobility expert Adi Kolecic. In December 2024, consumers paid 4.6 percent* less for air travel than in the same month last year.
In the longer term, however, flight prices have risen sharply: last month, air travelers paid 33.6 percent* more for airline tickets than they did 5 years previously. "Despite short-term relief, the airline industry is facing higher operating costs than before the pandemic. In addition, demand exceeded supply in 2023, which led to higher prices at the time. However, the capacity bottlenecks were largely resolved in 2024. That is why flight prices are falling again in the short term," said the mobility expert.
More expensive winter holidays in Switzerland
Anyone spending winter holidays in Switzerland will have to dig much deeper into their wallets. The price of para-hotels - this includes holiday apartments and other alternative forms of accommodation - rose by 4.5 percent*. According to the Comparis analysis, no other product has become more expensive compared to the previous year. Holiday apartments and the like are also significantly more expensive in the long term, namely 17.7 percent* compared to 2019. "Higher operating costs and the dominant market position of online platforms such as Airbnb and Booking with their sometimes high agency fees mean that holiday apartments are becoming increasingly expensive for guests," says Adi Kolecic.
Mountain railways and ski lifts have seen a price increase of 3.3 percent* compared to the same month last year. They are also 10 percent* more expensive than in December 2019. "The rising prices for mountain railways are mainly due to inflation and dynamic pricing systems. The latter ensure that the rates vary depending on demand, weather and time of booking. This leads to significantly higher costs, especially at peak times ," says the Comparis expert.
The increase in the price of holiday apartments and mountain railways is not good news for winter sports enthusiasts. "Especially in the mountain regions, the prices of accommodation and infrastructure are crucial for attractiveness," says Adi Kolecic. However, a decline in overnight stays in the Swiss mountain regions is not to be expected. Inflation abroad is significantly higher than in Switzerland. "Foreign ski resorts are unlikely to be an alternative. In addition, the number of US guests is increasing, because compared to the USA, Switzerland remains a cheap destination," says the mobility expert.
Highest inflation among couples aged 65 and over
Couples aged 65 and over without children experienced the highest price increases in leisure goods in the last 12 months. They are currently experiencing an inflation rate of 1.5 percent compared to the previous year. However, inflation stagnated for them in December 2024.
In purely mathematical terms, among household types, couples with children are feeling the least inflation in percentage terms. For them, it has amounted to 0.7 percent over the last 12 months.
*Comparis leisure price index
The national consumer price index (CPI) measures price changes based on a representative basket of around 1,050 goods and services. Inflation is defined as a sustained decrease in the value of money or an increase in the average price level. The CPI covers 12 main categories, including long-term investments and housing rents. Large expenditure items, such as social security premiums or direct taxes, are not included. The CPI therefore does not reflect the actual perceived price increase by consumers.
The Comparis Leisure Price Index, in collaboration with the KOF Economic Research Institute of the ETH, shows inflation exclusively in the areas of leisure and culture, restaurants and hotels, and travel. In addition, individual household groups, income classes and language regions are explicitly taken into account. Important note: Figures marked with an (*) were calculated directly by the Federal Statistical Office (LIK/BFS) or are based on the figures of the LIK/BFS.
The data basis for the Comparis leisure price index consists of the national consumer price index ( LIK ) and the household budget survey (HABE). The weightings for the new price indices are constructed from the HABE. Then chained Laspeyres indices are calculated using the price series from the LIK. The index base is December 2017 (corresponds to 100 percent).
