Rush for campsites and holiday homes

Campsites are currently inundated with bookings, because the Swiss population will probably have to spend their holidays in their own country. Not everyone in the tourism industry is benefitting from this: cities such as Lucerne will not be able to compensate for international guests.

Beach holidays on the Mediterranean or a trip through Europe? Because of the restrictions imposed by the Corona crisis, many Swiss will have to forget such plans this summer. Alternatives are thereby being sought within Switzerland – and are being found in particular at camping sites: "I have been receiving 50% more bookings than usual for this season," says Andreas Knüsel from the Campingplatz und Erlebnisbauernhof Gerbe (campsite and adventure farm) in Meierskappel. As in previous years, his campsite will probably be fully booked in the summer.

This is also expected by Michael Hippler, head of The Lido Camping in Lucerne. Due to the location in the city, his camping site would normally accommodate many guests from abroad, who only stay for a few nights. "Now, however, many Swiss people are booking with us for several weeks, which is why we should be very busy in the summer, despite the lack of international guests."

Adrian Barmettler, manager of the Seefeld Park Sarnen campsite, speaks of a "reservation wave". On some days, up to 80 email requests are received for renewals or new bookings. On request, the Touring Club Switzerland (TCS) says that bookings at its camping sites in Sempach, Horw, Buochs and Zug have also "increased significantly" since the announcement of the gradual easing by the Federal Council. "Because seaside holidays probably won’t be possible this year, holiday locations by lakes and rivers are particularly in demand," says Oliver Grützner, Head of Tourism and Leisure at the TCS.

Quick booking needed for camping sites
Some camping sire spaces are currently still available from the TCS for the holiday season. But Grützner recommends booking quickly: "We are expecting another big wave of bookings when the federal government communicates the date for opening the campsites." The question of when and under what conditions campsites may reopen to tourists has been left open so far by the Federal Council. At the moment,  only permanent tenants and stand owners can use the camping sites.

Those site operators are therefore demanding some planning certainty: "A decision should be made very quickly as to when and how to open," says Grützner. "The TCS campsites are prepared to implement all the protective measures necessary for the operation." The camping site in the Lucerne Lido is also ready: "We have cleaned the facilities, mowed the lawn and carried out maintenance work, so that we can start the operation at any time," says Hippler.

The calm before the storm: Michael Hippler at Lido Camping Lucerne
 

Not everyone can afford holidays in Switzerland
Jürg Stettler is not surprised that campsites are currently in demand,. The head of the Institute for Tourism Economics at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts makes it clear: "The need for travel is certainly there. The question is, in what form this can be satisfied." On the one hand, this depends on the alternative options: "Camping holidays on the Mediterranean can be replaced relatively easily by those on a lake in Switzerland," says Stettler. Budget restrictions also play a role – precisely because job insecurity has been exacerbated by the Corona crisis. "Because not everyone can afford a holiday week in Switzerland, day trips and short stays will come to the fore instead," says Stettler.

Inexpensive offers are also in demand, and this has also been noticed by the Reka. This provider of family holidays has recorded a "significant" increase in booking requests for holiday villages and apartments. The holiday village in Sörenberg is already fully booked for four weeks. ”Other apartments in Central Switzerland are still available, said Damian Pfister, Head of Reka-Ferien. "However, it’s advisable to book soon for the summer holidays."

A 60% drop in overnight stays in the city
Jürg Stettler believes that holiday apartments could be more popular because there’s thereby less contact with other people, and the distance rules are therefore easier to follow. "Areas with a high proportion of second homes could also benefit, because these accommodations will be rented out among family members and friends," expects the tourism researcher. "It is likely to be more difficult for cities to attract holidaymakers," says Stettler. "If you visit a city in Switzerland, you’re more likely to go on a day trip or to only stay one night at the most." On request, Lucerne Hotels President Conrad Meier states: "Whether tourism can start up again with mainly Swiss tourists, and whether these can be attracted to the cities will depend on the lockdown-easing conditions in the next few days."

And what impact will this have on the orientation towards international guests, such as in the case of Lucerne? Guests from different countries do not all have the same requirements, says Stettler. "If a hotel has only dealt with Asian group tourists so far, the offer will hardly be tailored to a Swiss family." For him, it’s clear that the loss of foreign guests cannot be completely compensated by Swiss holidaymakers – especially as these represent a share of 55% in Switzerland, and as much as 67% in the canton of Lucerne.

Tourist from Asia not before 2021
For Jürg Stettler, head of the Institute of Tourism Economics at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences, it's clear that business during the summer months will be primarily with Swiss tourists. If there is no second wave of the Corona virus, however, guests from nearby countries, such as Germany or Italy, could be expected to return towards the autumn or the end of the year. "Tourism from Asia and overseas is unlikely to start to recover until 2021," says Stettler.

Lucerne Tourism also expects the city to see a 60% drop in overnight stays this year compared to the previous year. Whether cities such as Lucerne will have a harder time attracting Swiss tourists than other holiday regions because of their focus on international visitors cannot yet be estimated, says Sibylle Gerardi, Head of Corporate Communications at Lucerne Tourism: "A big advantage, however, is that, with its mountains and the lake, the Lucerne-Vierwaldstättersee (Lake Lucerne) region has more to offer than just the city." In order to attract Swiss holidaymakers, Lucerne Tourism will increasingly promote the "Central Swiss Voucher", which is accepted as a means of payment by more than 100 providers. In addition, an attractive package offer is planned that combines short breaks in Lucerne hotels with the Tellpass, the general subscription for Central Switzerland.