Mass tourism in Switzerland: beneficial or detrimental?
The tourism industry in Switzerland is set to have a good season. Shopkeepers, restaurant owners and hoteliers can expect a welcome boost. However, in tourist hotspots Lucerne, Lauterbrunnen and the Verzasca Valley there are concerns about too many people visiting the region. What are your thoughts on the issue? Join the discussion on "dialogue". During the summer months, a fleet of buses carrying tourists from abroad travel across our country. In the canton of Vaud, the director of Glacier 3000, Bernhard Tschannen, is delighted. For him, this clientele provides a safety net. "The advantage with these groups is that the trips are organised and booked in advance, even if the weather isn't great." The city of Lucerne is also one of Switzerland's top sightseeing destinations, attracting almost seven million tourists a year. A success that irritates many locals, such as Valentin Humbel, president of the Lucerne Young Social Democrats. At the heart of the tension is the Schwanenplatz in ...