What's new in Switzerland? | Connecting Travel

The postcard-pretty country makes it on to Mabrian's top 10 outbound destinations for GCC travellers

Small in size but certainly not in appeal, Switzerland is a country that delivers on many levels. It’s home to snow-capped mountains, deep gorges, verdant meadows and a thousand lakes, framed with high-end hospitality, class-defining watchmaking, exceptional cuisine and, of course, Swiss chocolate.

According to data collated by travel intel expert Mabrian, the country’s top attractions, ranked by social media mentions, are: the Swiss Alps; its most famous mountain, the Matterhorn; the traditional resort town of Interlaken (pictured) in mountainous Bernese Oberland, and the country’s many lakes, chief among them Lake Geneva and Lake Brienz.

A report by Swiss Info upholds that tourism was back in full swing in Switzerland in 2023, and overnight stays are now expected to top the 40 million mark for the first time. By 2024, the projected revenue from the tourism market is predicted to reach US$5.78bn according to Statista, the global data and market research portal, which suggests that the market will achieve an annual growth rate of 1.23%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$6.07bn by 2028.

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New Attractions
This year, Lausanne celebrates the 30th anniversary of its title as Olympic Capital. To mark the occasion, the city has curated a series of free, festive and sporting events, such as the unveiling of the Olympic cauldron and the innovative M2 Challenge, in which participants race against the metro over a 5.6km course.

First established in 1970s, Art Basel is the most important world fair in the international art market for 20th- and 21st-century works. Taking place from 13 to 16 June 2024, it will feature more than 200 leading galleries and 4,000 artists from five different continents and a raft of exhibitions in and around Basel.

Lausanne

The Marvel superheroes are descending on Messe Basel exhibition centre in August 2024 with a European premiere of the Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes exhibition. Original drawings, costumes, props from Hollywood and interactive elements make it an event for the whole family.

The Michelin Guide made some big announcements in October 2023, with the news of five new two-Michelin-starred restaurants and 19 newly-awarded one-Michelin-star restaurants across Switzerland. The Chedi Andermatt hotel stole the crown, with one restaurant promoted to two Michelin stars and another awarded one Michelin star, as well as scooping the 2023 Young Chef Award for the restaurant’s chef duo.

In April 2024, airline SWISS will unveil a new first-class amenity kit in collaboration with Zimmerli, the prestigious Swiss luxury fashion house, in a choice of four styles

New Hotels
Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich, opened in September 2023 in the oldest grand hotel in the city. Founded in 1838 and redesigned by Tristan Auer, the 44-room, 36-suite hotel sits on Zurich’s Paradeplatz, close to a high-end shopping district and a charming promenade that leads to Lake Zurich.

Opened just in time for ski season, Six Senses Crans-Montana is a luxury off-piste pit stop with ski-in and ski-out access, a Six Senses Spa and an open-air cinema.

Summer 2024 sees the opening of the Grand Hôtel Belvédère, Switzerland, in the picture-perfect and pedestrian-only village of Wengen. Snowy vistas of Jungfrau’s peaks are seen from the 90 rooms and suites, while the all-natural spa is a haven pre- or post-piste action.

Also opening in the summer of 2024 is the Dada Boutique Hotel in Zurich, a creative mix of chaos and order with colour, print and patterns everywhere. Stylish furnishings, eccentric art and plenty of plants infuse this hotel, designed in the spirit of the avant-garde Dada movement, which took hold in early 20th-century Zurich.

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