Much loved and admired for its natural beauty, Switzerland is a destination high up on wishlists of travellers around the world, especially and increasingly also Asians. But how does the country’s popularity as a tourism destination affect its sustainability? How are its mountain destinations adapting to the consequences of climate change, such as less snow? And how are Switzerland’s hotels and other tourism businesses living up to the high expectations of environmentally conscious travellers?
To get answers to those and other questions, we caught up with Swiss tourism leaders and sustainability changemakers.
Sustainable destination Switzerland supporters: Swiss Youth Hostels, Swiss Travel System, SWISS and Rhaetian Railways.
Why focus on sustainability?
The pristine natural landscape of Switzerland is often associated with its clean and green image. To retain its image as an environment-friendly destination, DMOs, and businesses in the hospitality, transportation, and culinary sector work closely with each other and incorporated sustainability as a core part of their business model to strengthen the reputation of Switzerland as a brand close to nature.
How Switzerland approaches sustainability
- In the face of errant weather due to climate change, Switzerland is diversifying its winter tourism offerings by encouraging hiking and cycling during – and beyond – the summer months.
- Valposchiavo has developed a conscious tourism model with the ‘100% Valposchiavo’ initiative where locally produced seasonal products from the alpine valley are directly sold to restaurants. With active support from the local DMO, farming community, and local restaurants, this closed value chain initiative is a boost to sustainable economic development.
- Muottas Muragl Romantik Hotel has won accolades for achieving energy efficiency in its operations by relying solely on solar energy. To encourage conscious consumption, they work closely with local suppliers to source ingredients and reduce food wastage by cooking according to the demand resulting in cost savings.
- Schweizerhof Lenzerheide in the Swiss canton of Graubünden sets an example in the hospitality industry by focusing on all three pillars of sustainability. They strongly believe in social sustainability by training their employees and creating a positive work environment which translates into a committed staff which is important in a sustainable business. Guests are provided with an authentic Swiss culinary experience by sourcing locally produced food while also ensuring a lower carbon footprint.
- Swiss Youth Hostels’ sustainability strategy is based on the three-pillar principle: economy, social and environment. Their efforts to reduce carbon emissions have resulted in the reduction of CO2 emissions from space heating by 57.3% in 2000 and offset around 2,270 tonnes of CO2.
- SwitzerlandMobility, the national network for non-motorized traffic like hiking, cycling, mountain biking, skating and canoeing is renowned as an outstanding model for sustainable tourism mobility. Financed by the public and private sector, as well as visitors when using the SwitzerlandMobility Plus tool, SwitzerlandMobility is a shining example of a sustainable tourism offering.
- Anakolodge in the Valais region of Switzerland has accommodations built with natural construction materials that blend with the mountain landscape. The idea behind the chalets is to respect and preserve the heritage of ancestors and their knowledge of living in harmony with nature.
- Montagne Alternative in the Valais region of Switzerland is the first B Corp in the country in 2014. It is a mountain retreat where companies are provided with a unique space to discuss, learn and experience principles of the regenerative economy. The property has incorporated wood and stone in its construction, relies on solar energy for heating, and offers local produce in its restaurants.
- Entlebuch, a mountain destination near Lucerne is recognised by UNESCO as a model region for sustainable living, responsible business, and nature conservation. Their sustainability model is based on giving equal importance to the environment and social and economic interests to promote sustainable development.
- Laax is aiming to be the world’s first self-sufficient alpine destination through financially viable initiatives. Their green-style approach to sustainability focuses on reducing CO2 emissions, electricity consumption, and wastage. With climate change already affecting snow patterns, Laax is utilizing the latest 3D technology to measure the height and depth of the entire skiing and snowboarding region to help snow groomers efficiently maximize slope preparation with minimal diesel consumption.
Switzerland’s sustainable tourism changemakers
Who is leading sustainability efforts in Switzerland, making and keeping it attractive as a tourist destination? Below are our interviews with some of the country’s responsible tourism champions and changemakers.
Kaspar Howald on how Valposchiavo links sustainable tourism and agriculture through smart destination branding
As the Director of Valposchiavo Tourism, Kaspar has been a driving force behind the destination’s ‘100% Valposchiavo’ initiative, aimed at connecting agriculture, local trade, and tourism. In this interview, he shares how the initiative works and tells us about its successes and challenges.
Read the interview here
Anne-Pierre Ackermann on how Muottas Muragl became the first plus-energy hotel in the Alps
Perched high up in the Swiss Alps, Muottas Muragl Romantik Hotel is a real treat and popular for celebrating special occasions. Hotel manager Anne-Pierre explains how a combination of strict environmental standards in construction and utilising renewable solar and geothermal energy helped Muottas Muragl achieve energetic self-sufficiency and to even produce more energy than it actually needs.
Read the interview here
Claudia Züllig on achieving sustainability, top guest ratings, and employee satisfaction
A real sustainability stalwart in Switzerland’s hospitality scene, Hotel Schweizerhof Lenzerheide – run by Andreas and Claudia – shows how sustainable hospitality can be achieved through passion and concerted efforts. Champions in offering locally sourced produce, artisanal drinks, and creating employee satisfaction, it is no surprise that Hotel Schweizerhof Lenzerheide is among the best-rated hotels in Eastern Switzerland.
Read the interview here
Martin Nydegger on sustainability strategies of Switzerland Tourism
Switzerland’s scenic countryside and the country’s commitment to safeguarding these natural assets is a crowd puller. Find out from Martin, the CEO of Switzerland Tourism about the sustainability measures implemented across the destination, such as promoting biking tours, wildlife watching, and even prolonging fall activities such as biking and hiking in December due to less snowfall owing to climate change.
Read the interview here
Fredi Gmür on sustainability at Swiss Youth Hostels
With sustainability as a core part of its business model, Swiss Youth Hostels have managed to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of their properties, among myriads of other initiatives in place for sustainability. Former CEO, Fredi explains how this is only possible when the management board and every employee “walk the talk” in sustainability, and implement measures consistently in their daily work.
Read the interview here
Lukas Stadtherr on promoting carbon-neutral mobility
By building a strong network of services through public and private partnerships, SwitzerlandMobility makes it easy for visitors to enjoy a Swiss vacation, promoting car-free traffic options like the train, hiking, cycling, mountain biking, skating, and canoeing. Lukas tells us how they do it.
Read the interview here
Olivier Cheseaux on eco-friendly architecture in rural accommodation
With a motive to retain the charm and heritage of Swiss mayens, Olivier, architect and manager of Anakolodge shares his experience of refurbishing wooden huts on the hilly slopes of Evolène in the French-speaking Valais region, to propagate the idea of sustainable construction, in harmony with the surroundings and using recycled material.
Read the interview here
Benoit Greindl on resilience and sustainability in tourism
Montagne Alternative, a mountain retreat located high up in the Swiss Alps near Montreux, is the perfect accommodation for eco-conscious visitors who want to feel one with nature. Benoit, co-founder and manager of Montagne Alternative, explains why a focus on resilience and sustainability in tourism is no longer a “nice to have”, but a necessary requirement for meeting traveller expectations.
Read the interview here
Theo Schnider on establishing Switzerland’s first biosphere reserve
Recognised by UNESCO as a model region for sustainable living, responsible business, and nature protection, the approach of Entlebuch Biosphere to regional development and sustainability sets an example for other biosphere reserves to learn from. Theo has been involved from the start.
Read the interview here
Urs Wohler on community leadership and regional sustainability
Urs, CEO of Niesenbahn AG, illustrates why political leadership and support at a regional level are essential for destination sustainability. He also stresses how sustainability can work as an opportunity for differentiation from competitors, and how DMOs and travel businesses can work towards tourism sustainability.
Read the interview here
Reto Fry of Flims-Laax-Falera on the Greenstyle approach to sustainability
Popular winter destination Laax is making great strides towards sustainability, including minimising diesel consumption and optimising the slope preparation process. Reto, the Environmental Manager at Weisse Arena Group, introduces us to the Greenstyle approach and to the destination’s ambitious plans to reduce residual waste, CO2 emissions, and electricity consumption.
Read the interview here
Our thanks to Swiss Youth Hostels, Swiss Travel System, SWISS and Rhaetian Railways for supporting our series of interviews with Swiss sustainable tourism leaders, champions, and changemakers.
Did you enjoy our series of interview portraits with sustainable tourism champions and changemakers in Switzerland? Thanks for sharing!
Curious how destinations in other parts of the world approach sustainability? Visit our leading sustainable destinations section for additional stories and good practice examples!
