Switzerland Eyes 20 Percent Growth from Indian Tourists

NEW DELHI (NNN-Bernama) -- Switzerland Tourism will focus attention to boost the number of Indian tourists visiting the country, said Minister MD Michael Maeder.

"The number of Indian tourists coming to the region has been increasing from year to year. The growth has been improving and Switzerland is targeting a 20 percent growth this year,” Maeder told Press Trust of India (PTI) on Tuesday.

Due to the stagnation in the key markets, the Swiss government decided to allocate more funds to distant markets like India, and China to boost tourism.

In 2012, the Swiss government will focus on new initiatives and campaigns related to water since this year is "Year of the Water", and hoping of some 550,000 overnights spent by Indians in Switzerland.

"India is a very important market for us. Last year, Switzerland Tourism had a very successful 2011 in India, registering a growth of 20.3 per cent in total overnight visits by Indian tourists," he said.

Switzerland Tourism is a federal public corporation. Its mission, as decreed by a Federal Resolution, is to promote Switzerland as a holiday, travel and conference destination, both at home and abroad.

For consumer promotion, Switzerland Tourism will undertake billboard campaigns at Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi in March-April, advertising campaigns on leading channels and online marketing, he added.

On the growing number of partners from Switzerland, Switzerland Tourism India Deputy Director Ritu Sharma said: "It is exciting to have new Swiss partners coming to India to showcase their products to the travellers here. We have almost doubled the number of partners to 22 from 12 last year..." -- NNN-BERNAMA