Successful First Half Of Summer For Swiss Lift Co’s

Overall, the 2023 summer season has been going very well for Swiss cable car companies so far. Both the results of last year and those of the 5-year average were exceeded, as confirmed by the summer season monitoring data for July by Swiss lift co's.

For the summer season monitoring, the Swiss Cable Car Industry Association evaluates the number of guests (first entries) and the turnover for passenger transport in the summer season of 60 members from all over Switzerland. The figures now available for May to July enable an initial interim assessment. They make it clear that after an excellent start to the summer, the cable car companies were also able to successfully welcome guests in the high season. The number of guests (first-time visitors) throughout Switzerland is 9% higher than in the previous year (Fig. 1).

A look at the respective areas reveals regional differences and special features. The big winners include Central Switzerland with 21% more guests and the Bernese Oberland with an increase of 16%. On the other hand, Graubünden and eastern Switzerland are suffering single-digit losses. “The season is currently going particularly well in large destinations with well-known excursion mountains, which are particularly active in the distant markets. They get excellent results. In contrast, the situation is currently more challenging for those mountain railways that focus on the domestic market and neighboring countries. Overall, however, we are very satisfied,” analyzes Berno Stoffel, Director of Seilbahnen Schweiz.

The 5-year analysis makes the ropeway industry positive. Compared to the average values ​​of the last five years, the number of guests has increased in all but one region, with increases ranging from 12% in Eastern Switzerland to 36% in the Vaud and Friborg Alps. Overall, the Swiss cable cars are happy about 22% more guests. Only Graubünden recorded a slight decrease of 1% in first-time admissions compared to the 5-year average (Fig. 2). In terms of turnover, on the other hand, all cable car regions exceed the average of the last five years by at least 15%, while growth across Switzerland is 35%.

A spokesman said “These results over the last five years show that the summer season as a whole is becoming increasingly important. We are happy"