National Swiss-Wrestling Tournament has changed people's image of canton - managing director of tourist board claims

There is no question the National Swiss-Wrestling Tournament, which was held over three days in the canton last August, was a great success, attracting over 400,000 visitors in all, permitting 56,500 spectators to enjoy the contest in what was then the world’s largest temporary stadium. Furthermore, some 850,000 followed the event on German-speaking television. Now, the managing director of the Zug Tourist Board (ZT), Patrizia Hofstetter (photograph), claims the event has changed the image people have of the canton. “Many of the visitors are sure to want to return to the canton,” she said. “It is not easy to back this up with figures as many visitors came for the day only.”

It was in the Chriesipavillon (Cherry Pavillion) on Stierenmarkt that the board did its best to promote the canton. “We wanted to ensure the people who came to Zug took away a good impression of the canton,” she said, adding how they were able to have a picture taken of themselves in a photo booth against a Zug background to take home with them as a souvenir. “This was very well received; there was always a queue of people waiting,” she said.

She also mentioned how the competition to get a free entry ticket to the event on the Sunday or have a free overnight stay in the canton was equally well received. Such offers also meant the ZT was able to keep in contact with visitors afterwards. “Now we can keep them all informed about what is going on here in Zug. We can show them there is much more to Zug than a canton with low tax rates.”

At present there are still no official statistics relating to the amount of overnight stays, as the organising committee itself is still waiting for responses from the individual Swiss-Wrestling clubs.

“Nevertheless, what is sure is that it was a very good time for the local hotel business,” she concluded.