JEDDAH – A delegation of Switzerland Tourism and representatives of over 40 tourism destinations, companies and famous Swiss hotels has initiated the tour through the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states on Feb. 8-13, 2014, starting from Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Qassim, Bahrain, Doha, Muscat, Kuwait, Dubai, Al Ain and Abu Dhabi. During the roadshow, “Switzerland Travel Experience – GCC 2014” - organized and hosted by Switzerland Tourism GCC, the delegates met up with travel representatives and tourism agencies from the GCC. Giving insights into the new Switzerland Tourism campaign ‚Vistas', the workshop discussed ways of community collaboration that help to increase the number of GCC tourists to Switzerland. To enable these prospects, the tourism agencies were provided with comprehensive information and details on the tourist tours to Switzerland and by promoting the numerous tourist attractions and services offered in the different regions of the country. Switzerland Tourism announced that Saudia Arabia holds the unbeaten first position, followed by the United Arab Emirates. Overall, 205736 of GCC tourists with 593374 overnights have visited Switzerland during Jan-Nov 2013, resulting into an increase of 22,7% versus 2012, spending CHF 500 (USD 550) per day on average, in this ranking the GCC tourists are first in terms of daily tourist expenditure world-wide. The persistent growth of the number of tourists coming from the GCC to Switzerland, raised the responsibility of Switzerland Tourism towards Gulf tourism market and reflected on the enhancement of its activities, within the states of GCC via its regional office in Dubai, which has been carrying out its activities since 2003. The partners of Switzerland Tourism are aware of the importance of the Gulf tourism markat and constantly providing renewed tourist offers. The main partners are: Geneva & Lake Geneva region, Valais, Gstaad, Lucerne, Interlaken, Grindelwald, Zurich, Ticino, Bern, St. Moritz, Swiss Travel Systems, Bucherer, Swiss Health, Swiss International Airlines. To ensure high standards of pleasure for tourists, Switzerland Tourism has launched its online website www.switzerland.com/ar with 2400 pages of Arabic content for information and easy reservations using the database of luxury Swiss hotels and train tickets that facilitate travel from all over the world from and to all cities in Switzerland. The 2014 summer campaign ‚Vistas' focusses on the breathtaking views, which you will find everywhere travelling in Switzerland. „Our mountain journeys are spectacular − they almost take you up to the skies, where the air is clear, the views are inspirational and each moment is moving”, as Matthias Albrecht, Director GCC, emphasizes. The Switzerland Tourism claim ‚get natural' stays with all its originality, innovation and other modern Swiss components. The experiences of both cities and mountains shall be covered through the chapters of leisure and business. Switzerland Tourism is also working closely with all tourism partners and those who are significantly related to the sector of tourism. In order to increase the level of demand, Switzerland Tourism develops and markets high quality offers dedicated to meeting all requirements. Marketing in key markets is being enhanced, and markets with high strategic growth opportunities are being invested and exploited, such as the GCC markets. When travelling in Switzerland, apart from the outstanding hotel offer, there are many serviced hotel apartments, offering a private environment whilst enjoying hotel amenities of outstanding comfort. They are also an excellent opportunity for young honeymooners to enjoy a romantic and cozy place which is hardly to find elsewhere in the world. Tourists looking for exercising fun and hiking will find specific paths to use their hobbies. During the year, world-famous annual events and festivals take place, such as the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Art Basel, the Geneva Festival or the European Golf Open in Crans-Montana. Switzerland is one of the most prominent tourist destinations for medical treatment and well-being; the most prominent places are: St. Moritz, Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne, Lugano and Bad Ragaz, all covering a range of excellent hotels. Since three years, Switzerland has a new marketing cooperative called ‚Swiss Health', promoting University Hospitals and Private Clinics. Since the Eighties, the Swiss educational sector has witnessed a remarkable development. International students are provided with learning opportunities with everything they require and demand for to take part in the international competition, including summer camps in English. There are many boarding schools, hotel and tourism management colleges in the Lake Geneva region. – SG
