TORONTO — Switzerland, which has seen a 30% increase in Canadian visitors in the past 10 years, is in the spotlight this year and next both at home and abroad with the addition of many new museums and hotels and landmark anniversaries.
Members of the travel media learned details this week at a Switzerland Tourism function at St. James Cathedral Centre’s Snell Hall in Toronto.
In the Matterhorn Region, various events are being organized to mark the 150th anniversary of the first ascent of the Matterhorn, as well as the 1,500 year anniversary of Saint Maurice’s Abbey, the oldest monastery in the western world – a unique event recognized by UNESCO.
Geneva, which was voted Europe’s leading city break destination for 2014 at the World Travel Awards (beating Paris, Madrid, London and Rome), is also touted as a great getaway for women with the publication of a new book – Geneva Girls’ Guide. Even bigger news, the city has just reopened and expanded its famous Geneva Museum of Ethnography with collections from Asia, Oceania, Africa and more.
There’s also something for food lovers – with 10 Michelin rated restaurants and chefs, and car enthusiasts who will want to attend the 86th International Motor Show March 5-15, 2015.
The Lake Geneva region meanwhile has a new Olympic Museum in Lausanne and three new hotels opening next year including the five-star Royal Savoy in Lausanne and Modern Times in Vevey. In 2016 two new museums will open including one devoted to film star Charlie Chaplin and another on the history of the Nestle company.
Evelyn Lafone, Market Manager Canada & Midwest USA, highlighted the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, which combines the most beautiful panoramic rail routes in one trip with suggested itineraries of four or eight days that can be done throughout the year with one ticket – the Swiss Travel Pass.
If you can’t get to Switzerland in the next few months, you can get a sample of the country at the upcoming Montreal en Lumiere festival (Feb. 19-March 1, 2015) in Montreal. Switzerland will host the event and feature Swiss chefs, artists and more.
