Sometimes less is more, and the tourism industry of Switzerland is learning that less in 2016.
Luxury travel is wonderful, and the Swiss market is known for top-notch, high-end destinations and amenities among the best locations on the planet. However, the quality of the accommodations notwithstanding, the price of those accommodations and the strength of the Swiss franc have left many foreign travelers out in the cold when it comes to Switzerland.
That could be changing.
A recent report by Bloomberg showcases positive signs for the Swiss tourism industry, and it has nothing to do with fancy new resorts or classy nightlife spots. Instead, the report focuses on Balmers hostel which affords travelers a $5-per-night hammock in an old barn and in a sleeping space shared with strangers.
No, no the world has not gone mad.
This isn't even the kind of zero-star tourism that has gone viral recently. What this affordable travel accomplishes is nothing that different from what used to be kitschy about places like other youth hostels of the past. In addition to the night's rest, Balmers includes amenities like free breakfast, showers, wi-fi, a nice garden and a ping pong table. The place even houses a nightclub which, I mean, if you've been to a hostel can seem a little redundant.
[READMORE] READ MORE: This Swiss Hotel Is Literally Just a Bed Someone Stuck on a Mountain[/READMORE]
The best amenity, though? Access to nearby destinations like mountains, rivers, lakes, amusement parks, railways and historic landmarks. It's a fantastic area that is not all-the-more accessible for people who might want to spend their money on things other than the quality of the roof over their head.
Terrorist attacks in nearby France and other common tourism destinations in Europe have also played a significant part.
Overall, overnight stays rose 0.9 percent between January and May year-over-year from 2015, with visitors from the United States and United Kingdom increasing 5.4 percent and 6.5 percent.
With a stable franc and a focus on travel that is affordable for all walks of life, Swiss tourism has a shot at creating a market that showcases their country to more than just the most luxurious.
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