Switzerland remains one of Europe’s most iconic tourism destinations — renowned for its Alpine landscapes, luxury hotels, winter sports, lakeside cities, and multilingual culture.
In 2024, Switzerland’s tourism sector achieved a milestone with ~42.8 million overnight stays, marking a 2.6% increase over 2023.
Visitors spent CHF 19.6 billion (~USD 23.9 billion) in 2024, setting a new record for the country.
Key Stats: Switzerland Tourism
- 42.8 million overnight stays in 2024 – Switzerland’s alpine hotels and resorts broke their previous record, showing recovery and strength in the tourism sector.
- 22 million of those nights were by foreign visitors, a solid +5.1% growth, highlighting Switzerland’s growing appeal internationally.
- Tourists spent around CHF 19.6 billion (~US$24 billion) in Switzerland in 2024 – indicating not just visits, but significant economic impact.
- July’s 1.3 million arrivals mark the busiest month ever recorded, underlining Switzerland’s status as a top summer (and year-round) destination.
- Domestic tourism remains strong: about 20.9 million nights stayed by Swiss residents in 2024 – stability at home is a good base.
- The tourism industry sustains ~167 000 full-time jobs and contributes nearly 3% of Switzerland’s GDP – it’s a major player in the economy, not just a side show.
How Many Tourists Visit Switzerland Each Year?
Switzerland recorded a total of ~42.8 million overnight stays in 2024, up 2.6% from the previous year.
Among these, foreign guest overnight stays rose by 5.1% to ~22 million, the highest level in over 50 years.
In terms of spending: tourists in Switzerland spent CHF 19.6 billion in 2024, a 2.2% rise over the prior year.
How Many Tourists Visit Switzerland Each Day?
Based on ~42.8 million overnight stays for the year, Switzerland averaged nearly 117,000 overnight visits per day.
(42,800,000 ÷ 365 ≈ 117,260)
Seasonal peaks — especially in winter in the Alps or summer in lakeside regions — push daily counts considerably higher.
How Much Do Visitors Spend in Switzerland?
Visitor spending in Switzerland reached CHF 19.6 billion in 2024.
This surpasses pre-pandemic levels for inbound tourism revenue. Notably, despite strong domestic tourism, growth in overnight stays and spend by foreign visitors is the key driver.
Which Countries Visit Switzerland the Most?
Key source markets for Switzerland include Germany, the United States, France, the United Kingdom and China — though long-haul markets are gaining share.
| Country | Notes |
|---|---|
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Historically the largest market for Switzerland. |
| 🇺🇸 United States | Significant growth; +14% rise in overnight stays in 2024. |
| 🇫🇷 France | Important neighbouring source market. |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Long-haul European market with steady demand. |
| 🇨🇳 China | Recovery underway, contributing more to growth. |
What Are the Most Visited Regions & Attractions in Switzerland?
Switzerland’s appeal spans multiple landscapes — from Alpine resorts to lakeside cities and UNESCO heritage sites.
- Zürich & Lake Zürich region — Urban tourism, business, culture
- Lucerne & Lake Lucerne — Historic city + access to mountains
- Jungfrau / Interlaken region — Classic Alpine vistas
- Zermatt (Matterhorn) — Iconic mountain destination
- Geneva & Lake Geneva — International hub + scenic lagoon
- St. Moritz / Engadine — Luxury winter resort region
- Grindelwald & Lauterbrunnen Valley — Popular for nature & hikes
- Swiss Riviera (Montreux, Vevey) — Lakeside wine & festivals
- Glacier Express & Bernina Express rail trips — Scenic trains
- Swiss National Park & Alpine fauna/flora — Nature tourism
When Is the Best Time to Visit Switzerland?
Switzerland is attractive year-round — with distinct seasons and tourism peaks in winter (ski season) and summer (hiking, lakes).
| Season | Trend | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec–Mar) | Peak in Alpine resorts | Skiing, snow sports, festive markets |
| Spring (Apr–May) | Moderate-High | Mild weather, fewer crowds |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Peak | Lakes, hiking, city sightseeing |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | Moderate | Fall colours, wine regions |
Note: Some Swiss regions also host agreements for free public transport for overnight hotel guests, encouraging sustainable travel.
What Are the Biggest Events Attracting Tourists to Switzerland?
Switzerland’s event calendar supports inbound tourism via major sports, music and cultural festivals.
- St. Moritz/Cortina Winter Olympics lead-in and winter sports events
- Montreux Jazz Festival (July)
- Zurich Film Festival (Sept)
- Geneva International Motor Show (Apr)
- Lucerne Blues Festival (Oct)
- Matterhorn Glacier Ride opening (spring)
- Swiss design and watch exhibitions in Zürich
- Alpine ice-climbing and mountain marathons across summer
How Much Does Tourism Affect Switzerland’s Economy?
Tourism plays a major role for Switzerland — especially in Alpine cantons.
- Foreign overnight stays in 2024: ~22 million
- Hotels, restaurants, transport and mountain-rail infrastructure benefit strongly from tourism.
- Tourism contributes significantly to employment and regional GDP (especially in mountainous and lake regions where it may exceed 10-15%+ of regional GVA).
How Busy Are Swiss Hotels & Overnight Accommodation?
Swiss hotels experienced record occupancy and overnight stays in 2024.
- Total overnight stays: ~42.8 million (up 2.6%)
- Foreign overnight stays: ~22 million (+5.1%)
- Swiss domestic overnight stays remained stable.
FAQ – Switzerland Tourism Insights
How many tourists visit Switzerland each year?
Switzerland recorded ~42.8 million overnight stays in 2024, including ~22 million foreign overnight stays.
What is Switzerland most known for?
Alpine landscapes, lakes, skiing, hiking, luxury travel, multilingual culture and efficient transport.
When is the best time to visit Switzerland?
For skiing: December-March; for lakes and hiking: June-August; for fall colours and fewer crowds: September-October.
Is Switzerland expensive?
Yes — Switzerland is among the more expensive travel destinations in Europe, but premium experiences and excellent infrastructure often justify the cost.
Is Switzerland good value despite cost?
Yes — record tourist spend and overnight stays in 2024 show strong demand and high value per visitor.
Which regions are most popular?
Zürich, Geneva, Lucerne, Jungfrau/Interlaken, Zermatt/Matterhorn, Swiss Riviera, Engadine.
Sources
- Swiss Federal Statistical Office (OFS) — Switzerland’s tourism balance of payments in 2024
- Swissinfo.ch — Tourist spending in Switzerland grew in 2024
- Travel & Tour World — Switzerland’s tourism industry reached new heights with over forty million overnight stays in 2024
- Tourism-Review.com — Switzerland Tourism: Most visitors came from the U.S.
- Road Genius — Switzerland Tourism Statistics – How Many People Visit? (2024)
- Macrotrends — Switzerland tourism statistics 1995-2025
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