TOURISM

Ivan Breiter, Manager Leisure Sales, Switzerland Tourism

Switzerland is centrally located, very close to all of Europe. Fast trains. 4 languages spoken. 65% speak Swiss German, 20% speak French, 8% Italian; and 1% speak Romantsch. Easy and comfortable access – flights are between 7 and 10 hours with a comfortable transfer to the ski area. Switzerland has beautiful landscape. 30 top ski destinations in Switzerland with more than 3000 miles of downhill slopes. There is 7000 feet of vertical drop and non-stop runs of up to 10 miles. Switzerland is higher above sea level, so snow is more likely in Switzerland. Transport facilities in resorts take their passengers on average 1800 feet higher than those in Austria, Germany, France and Italy. Skiing is mostly above tree line.

Food is important to the Swiss. More than 300 different Swiss wines and more than 450 kinds of cheeses.

Fun events – Witches’ Downhill, international Hot-Air Balloon meet, Winter Jam, Winter Golf, 24-hour Ski Race, etc.

Lake – French speaking, good place for those groups who don’t want to ski all the time. Leysin & Les Mosses, Les Diablerets, Chateau-d’Oex & Rougemont situated between Gruyere and Gstaad

Matterhorn Region – 5 famous resorts in this area Verbier, (harder area, difficult for larger groups) Crans-Montana, - (on sunny side) Leukerbad, Saas-Fee (only about 300 population, car- free resort, highest revolving restaurant in the world) and – (home of the , 250 miles of ski slopes). About 3 times bigger than Whistler/Blackcomb.

Jungfrau Region – World National Unesco Heritage region – 3 major areas all interconnected with each other. Interlaken is a good place to stay, but not ski-in, ski out area.

Davos – Bigger, largest holiday resort and highest town in Europe. Easy to reach from Zuricdh airport. Many restaurants, nightlife and shops. 5 ski areas with 99 runs, 80% beginner/intermediate.

American Airlines helped with this trip. Swiss travel system, rail, bus and boat all-in-one ticket. It is a seamless transportation chain. There is a flexi-pass for non-skiers. Snow Safari – good for groups that have never been to Switzerland, stay at one place and discover 5 ski areas, accommodation in nice 3-star hotels; daily ski passes, and transfers from your hotel to the ski resort.

MySwitzerland.com is the Swiss Tourism website: the information source for Switzerland. The site has webcams and 250 winter top tips.

ENGELBERG Frédéric Füssenich, Sales Manager, Engelberg

Engelberg history town is flat because a mountaintop collapsed into the valley. Monks ruled for more than 700 years. 1850 started the summer tourism in Engelberg. Air is pure and good for TB patients. 1903 the Ski Club of Engelberg was founded. This is one of the first resorts where one could learn skiing. In 1927 the first Gondola in the world built here. 65 miles from Zurich airport – Engelberg is the closes ski resort from Zurich. Engleberg is the first mountain range of the Alps. Has more snow “guarantee” than other locations. Has a long ski season. Brunni side has skiing in the trees. Only 1 T-bar lift left at the top of the glacier, otherwise a very good lift system. Also have cross- country skiing and snowshoe hiking. There are different spa facilities in Engleberg and a sports center with ice skating, curling. Engelberg is only 1 hour by train from Lucerne. There are140 miles of groomed skiing. Future plans are expansion to other ski areas nearby. It will take about 12 lifts to handle this expansion. Then Engelberg will be considered a large area.

SWISS SNOWSPORTS Valentin Gadient, Demonstrator, Swiss Snowsports

Switzerland has different regulations to regulate skiing; first organization was in the Army. By 1933/34 there were over 54 ski schools. Two years ago, two associations united and now there is only one: Swiss Snowsports. Vision is to put the focus on the client. Farmers own the land on the mountains, so the way to the goal is a bit longer. Marketing – main goal is promote the juniors in racing Swiss Ski Federation. Working steadily on the image of winter snowsports of Switzerland. Organization to fully regulate the standards for “risk” sports, canyoning, hiking, etc. One official school licensed per destination. 2/3 of clients in the schools are children. ½ of financing comes from licensing programs. Organizations pay membership dues to become a member. To become a snowsports instructor, you have to pass several levels, i.e., skiing, boarding, cross- country, They have created a key manual for Swiss Snowsports. Every discipline has its specific part. Even have a children’s manual for specific kids issues. Slope marking is blue, red and black slopes. Snowli is the swiss snow kids village. Q sets quality standards. Provide a high-quality service chain. Children are the future clients. They are taking Snowli to the cities to introduce snowsports to kids. www.snowsports.ch