Lake Zug Navigation Company records profit of CHF 20,266

It was announced at the AGM of the Lake Zug Navigation company last week that it had recorded a profit of CHF 20,266 over the course of 2018.

What was conducive to this positive result was the long spell of good weather last summer, leading to a 14.3 per cent increase in passengers on scheduled trips, from 98,195 to 112,201, possibly a new record.

In addition to the success on regular scheduled services, there was also a 17.3 per cent increase in those taking special cruises, i.e. for private functions such as weddings, birthday parties and business trips, 163 of them in all.

All these factors led to an CHF 83,859 increase in turnover amounting to CHF 2,383,384 in all, resulting in the CHF 20,266 profit as mentioned.

It was made known at the meeting, too, that bookings for trips on the lake in 2018 had been made as early as the winter of 2017, coach tour operators from all over Switzerland booking trips, especially over the lunch-time periods.

Then there were the musical and dancing cruises, which continued well into the night. It was not long after these guests had disembarked that those looking to Sunday brunch cruises duly came on board. Then, in the spring of last year, the first ever beer cruises started. These have proved most popular and are now a regular fixture on the company’s calendar.

Fewer culinary trips were organised, though 5,052 guests still enjoyed 98 such trips. At present different culinary concepts are being considered.

As to maintenance of the fleet, MS Schwyz was hauled out of the water with various repairs made and barnacles removed. As reported the time, one problem the company faced last summer was that the level of the water in the lake fell, though embarkation and disembarkation was still possible at every jetty thanks to the skills of the staff.

The decrease in financial contribution from the canton remains a challenge, talks on this matter currently ongoing.