Zermatt Tourismus Supports Women's Strike Day

On Swiss Women’s Strike Day on 14 June 2019, all female Zermatt Tourismus employees chose to put down their work and stand up for women's rights.

Zermatt Tourismus is committed to equality between men and women and is supportive of women across the country fighting for their rights. On the national Women’s Strike Day on 14 June 2019, Zermatt Tourismus therefore encouraged its female employees to strike and stand up for women's rights.

Around eighty percent of Zermatt Tourismus’ employees are women. On 14 June 2019, their male colleagues ensured that the key functions werecovered to keep business running smoothly.

No longer acceptable

"In our company, women and men are paid the same salary for the same job," says Daniel Luggen, Director of Tourism for Zermatt – Matterhorn. There is, however, room to improve in areas such as the board of directors, where women are underrepresented. "We’ve not had a female Director of Tourism in Zermatt – Matterhorn yet, either," he smiled. Across Switzerland, women have been paid lower salaries, worked fewer hours and received less recognition for the work they performed than men. Nowadays, this is no longer acceptable.

Women on the mountain

Zermatt Tourismus advocates for women not just as a company, but as a destination. Under the heading of "Women on the mountain", there are several projects taking place this summer in the destination. Four women are being supported and prepared for their first Matterhorn ascent and there is also the open-air play on the Riffelberg, "Matterhorn: No ladies please!" about Lucy Walker, the first woman to reach the summit of the Matterhorn.