Mixed August For Swiss Lift Co's

Although the overall results of the Swiss cable cars for the summer season have so far been above the 5-year average, August was somewhat weaker than the previous year. The current evaluations of the summer season monitoring by Cable Cars Switzerland (SBS) reveal this and more.

As part of the summer season monitoring, Seilbahnen Schweiz, the association of the Swiss cable car industry, analyzes the turnover for passenger transport and the number of guests (first arrivals) of 60 cable car companies from all over Switzerland in the summer season. The cumulative values ​​since the beginning of summer show a positive picture overall. From May to August, the number of guests across Switzerland increased by 4% compared to the previous year and sales for passenger transport increased by 9%.

However, the different regions are seeing different results. On the one hand, the Bernese Oberland and Central Switzerland can look forward to 12% and 16% more day visitors, respectively, than in the previous year - mainly thanks to good numbers in the large, internationally oriented destinations. On the other hand, the number of guests fell by around 10% in both Graubünden and eastern Switzerland as well as in the Vaud and Friborg Alps. “This year’s summer trend continues, with large destinations with a focus on long-distance markets being particularly successful,” explains Berno Stoffel, Director of SBS.

August is below last year's results

For the summer season monitoring, a direct comparison of the number of guests in August was made with the previous year. The number of guests in August was 5% lower than in the same month last year, with the Vaud and Friborg Alps and eastern Switzerland recording the largest losses (-20 and -18% respectively). In contrast, the Bernese Oberland, Central Switzerland and Ticino managed to increase the number of guests by between 2 and 6%. “During the summer holidays there was a great desire among Swiss people to travel abroad again after the turbulent Corona years. This is particularly evident in summer destinations, which usually have a high proportion of domestic guests,” says Berno Stoffel.

Results exceed 5-year average

Even if the August figures are below the previous year's level, the 5-year average is positive for the Swiss cable car industry. When comparing the current summer season with the average of the last five years, the results are positive throughout Switzerland. For example, Central Switzerland recorded 28% more guests and the Bernese Oberland and the Vaud and Friborg Alps recorded 17% more guests than the average of the last five years. In Graubünden, however, the number of guests fell by 5% compared to the 5-year average