Swiss Mountain Railways See 8 Percent Visitor Growth Driven by Summer Heat

Swiss mountain railways registered an eight percent increase in visitor numbers during the summer season running from May to October compared to the previous year. According to figures released by the industry association Seilbahnen Schweiz, the surge in passenger volume was largely propelled by extended hot and dry weather conditions across the country. The trade body described the overall result as positive, noting that the growth occurred despite a reduction in arrivals from key Asian customer segments due to the crisis in the Middle East.

The seasonal statistics, compiled from first-entry data across more than 140 member companies, highlighted substantial regional variations. The Bernese Oberland recorded the highest growth rate at 26 percent, though this figure was influenced by a base effect stemming from restricted operations on the Schilthorn cableway during the previous year. Graubünden saw guest numbers rise by nine percent, while the Vaud and Fribourg Alps each recorded a seven percent increase. Central Switzerland and Eastern Switzerland both ended the season five percent higher, with results in the east tempered by the service outage of the Säntis aerial tramway. By contrast, Valais recorded a modest one percent growth, while visitor traffic in Ticino remained flat.

Performance metrics also diverged based on altitude and company scale. Mountain railways situated at medium elevations between 1,000 and 2,000 metres above sea level achieved the strongest growth, posting a twelve percent increase in visitor numbers. Small enterprises generating up to two million Swiss francs in transport revenue reported a thirteen percent gain in first entries, whereas large operations with revenue exceeding ten million francs grew by ten percent. Mid-sized companies recorded near-flat performance, ending the period with a rise of half a percent.

Written by Sandy van Dongen sandy.vandongen@alpineweekly.com