Switzerland calling
Switzerland Tourism is offering new prospects for promoting tourism in 2013. The country is focussing on ‘Living Traditions’ for promoting its rich heritage.
TT BUREAU Switzerland
Tourism is making the most of the country’s rich customs and traditions that are still being cherished by local people. Celebrating this heritage, Switzerland Tourism has dedicated year 2013 to the ‘Living Traditions’. The diverse linguistic, culinary, architectural and musical traditions shaping the Swiss culture in different parts of the country can now be enjoyed by tourists also.
Stephan Heuberger, Director, Switzerland Tourism India, says, “India is a key market for us. Both countries take pride of their rich heritage of culture and traditions. People here believe and follow their traditions. ‘Living Traditions’ is an endeavour to showcase the way of life that reflects the true Switzerland. We are sure that Indian visitors will find it enthralling whilst they are experiencing our traditions and customs in our nature.”
As a part of the theme, Switzerland Tourism has introduced almost 100 activities to provide visitors an experience of the Swiss traditions. Witness how alpine cheese is made at the Chalet Lioson d’Enbas or have a go at playing an alphorn in Nendaz or be it admiring the beautifully adorned cows in Charmey, visitors will be able to experience some of the oldest Swiss traditions.
Switzerland Tourism will also focus on MICE majorly this year. The country is becoming more popular with small groups of 100-200 people as well as for large movements. It is also creating the ideal infrastructure to promote this market segment. MICE groups have grown by more than 22 per cent in the year 2012 as compared to the previous year.
The boad will undertake varied marketing activities for 2013 including training programmes for travel agents. It will also launch an official Facebook page with an Indian feed followed by other social media. “We value the cooperation of the travel trade and will continue to work closely with them to promote various offerings that we have to propose to the Indian outbound. India market has shown a positive growth even in 2012, which is commendable,” says Ritu Sharma, Deputy Director, Switzerland Tourism India.