Switzerland Tourism Statistics

Page last updated: 10 November 2025

Switzerland is famous for its beautiful mountain views, great ski resorts, and charming towns, drawing millions of visitors every year.

How many tourists visit Switzerland each year?

Over 20 million international tourists visit Switzerland in recent year. ¹

• In 2019, Switzerland welcomed 19.76 million international visitors, marking the highest number of recorded visitors in pre-pandemic years. 

• When the pandemic started in 2020, this number dropped by 46% to 10.7 million visits.

• By 2021, Switzerland experienced a 28% increase in international tourism with 13.69 million visitors. 

• Inbound tourism rose to 18.32 million visitors in 2022 and continued to recover in 2023 with 20.8 million visitors, surpassing the number of tourists by 5% in 2019. 

• In 2024, Switzerland welcomed 21.5 million international visitors, a 3.4% increase from 2023.

How many people visited Switzerland in 2025?

As of September 2025, 34.40 million overnight stays were recorded in Swiss hotels, representing about a 2% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

• International visitors accounted for 17.95 million overnight stays, while domestic visitors contributed 16.45 million stays through September 2025.

Monthly Overnight Stays in Switzerland in 2025
Month	Total Overnight Stays
January	3.19 M
February	3.36 M
March	3.35 M
April	2.90 M
May	3.46 M
June	4.14 M
July	4.91 M
August	4.97 M
September	4.12 M

Note this is just preliminary data from the Switzerland Federal Council of Statistics and is subject to change with future updates. 

How many people visited Switzerland in 2024?

• Switzerland welcomed 33.6 million tourists in 2024.International tourists made up the majority of Switzerland’s visitors at 64% (21.5 million), while domestic visitors accounted for 36% (12.1 million) of total tourists in 2024.

How much do tourists spend in Switzerland every year?

Tourists (both international and domestic) spend over CHF 30 billion in recent years in Switzerland.

• In 2024, tourists generated approximately CHF 33.1 billion in spending, representing a 3.6% growth from 2023.

• Annual spending reached CHF 31.9 billion in 2023, an increase from CHF 29.4 billion in 2022.

• CHF 27.8 billion in spending was generated in 2019, which dropped to CHF 19.1 billion in 2020 and approximately CHF 22.9 billion in 2021 during the pandemic.

How much money does Switzerland make from tourism in 2024? 

Tourists spent CHF 33.1 billion in Switzerland in 2024.

• International tourists contributed 59% (CHF 19.6 billion), while domestic visitors accounted for 41% (CHF 13.5 billion) of total spending in 2024.

How much does it cost to visit Switzerland?

The average cost to visit Switzerland is approximately CHF 1,500 per international trip in 2024.

• Domestic visitors: Approximately CHF 150 per day for weekend breaks and short holidays
• International visitors: Approximately CHF 200-250 per day, with total trip costs ranging from CHF 1,500-2,500 for a week-long visit

Where do visitors to Switzerland spend their money?

• Visitors to Switzerland spend a significant portion of their budget in key categories, including 30% on accommodation, 20% on food and beverages, 20% on transportation, 15% on shopping, and 15% on entertainment and activities (museums, mountain excursions, ski passes, and attractions).

Which country visits Switzerland the most?

The leading source of foreign tourists to Switzerland is Germany, followed by the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy.²

• In 2023, Germany was the top source of international visitors to Switzerland, accounting for 1.7 million tourists with 8.19% of the market share.

• The United States also contributed about 7%, with 1.46 million tourist visits.

• France accounted for 802,724 international visits with a market share of 3.86%. 

How long do visitors stay in Switzerland?

• In 2024, tourists spent an average of 9 days exploring Switzerland’s popular cities and attractions.

•  The average length of stay was 10.5 days in 2021 and 8 days in 2022.

Europe Travel Resources

Economic Impact – Switzerland Tourism Statistics 2024

• Tourism is deeply embedded in Swiss society, especially in mountain regions, attracting millions of tourists annually, who account for 42.83 million overnight stays. In 2024, tourism contributed about 3% (approximately CHF 19-20 billion) to the economy.

• Tourism is a major economic sector in the Alpine regions, employing around 4% of Switzerland’s workforce (approximately 167,000 full-time jobs). Half of the hotel guests are international, with most visitors coming from Germany and the United States.

What is the best time of year to visit Switzerland?

The best time to visit Switzerland depends on weather preferences and activities.

• July-August (Summer): Peak season with the warmest weather, ideal for hiking and sightseeing, but highest crowds. July and August each account for approximately 11% of annual tourism.

• June and September (Shoulder Summer): Pleasant weather with fewer crowds than peak summer, each accounting for about 9-10% of annual visits.

• February (Winter Peak): Best for skiing and winter sports, accounting for 8.1% of annual tourism.

• November (Low Season): Lowest visitor numbers at 5.6% of annual tourism, with off-season pricing but limited mountain access.

What are Switzerland’s peak tourist months?

August was the peak tourist month in Switzerland in 2024.

• August was the busiest month with 3.78 million visitors in 2024, followed by July with 3.75 million, June with 3.20 million, and September with 3.16 million.

How popular is Switzerland as a tourist destination?

Switzerland continues to shine as one of the world’s top travel destinations, earning prestigious awards for sustainability, quality, and excellence in tourism.

2025

• 19th Swiss Tourism Awards (SIHE) – Switzerland will host the 19th edition in 2025, recognizing excellence in destinations, service, and innovation across the Swiss tourism industry.
  
• UNWTO Best Tourism Villages 2025 Nominees – Switzerland continues its leadership in sustainable rural tourism by nominating eight villages under the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s global program.
  
• Record Tourism Year 2025 – Achieved over 42.8 million overnight stays, the highest figure in 50 years. International guests increased by 5.1%, underscoring Switzerland’s global appeal and world-class tourism standards.

2024

• World Travel Awards – Switzerland Tourism was nominated for “World’s Leading Tourism Authority Website” and “Europe’s Leading Travel Destination,” recognizing digital innovation and brand excellence.
  
• Quality Label for Swiss Tourism (Q-Label) – Continued acknowledgment of Swiss hotels, resorts, and transport services for maintaining high standards of service quality and sustainability.
  
• Global Tourism Competitiveness – Ranked among the top 10 countries worldwide in the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index, citing strong infrastructure, safety, and sustainability practices.
  
• UNWTO Sustainable Tourism Recognition 2024 – Commended for integrating eco-friendly practices and green mobility initiatives across major Swiss destinations.

Why do people visit Switzerland?

• The majority of visitors travelled to Switzerland for leisure activities (54%) in 2024, highlighting Switzerland’s appeal as a holiday destination.

• An additional 19% of visits were for visiting friends and relatives (VFR), while business travel represented 5.3%.

• Various other purposes account for a notable portion of visits, reflecting diverse reasons for visiting beyond leisure and business.

Best Places to Visit in Switzerland

• Interlaken, located in between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun, is one of the best places to visit. It offers beautiful scenery for hiking, biking, boat cruises, and mountain views from the Harder Kulm observation deck via a funicular.

• Lake Lucerne is surrounded by mountains and mediaeval buildings, with an old town full of historic sites, lively squares, shops, and old churches.

• Zermatt, a car-free town in the Swiss Alps, is perfect for skiing or snowboarding and is home to the famous Matterhorn and Switzerland’s highest ski resort.

• Zurich, a cosmopolitan city, appeals to all travellers with attractions like Lake Zurich, trendy bars, top restaurants, Lindenhof Park, and unique neighbourhoods.

• Lake Geneva is known for its views, the headquarters of the Red Cross and the UN, the Jet d’Eau, and its charming old town with cobblestone streets and squares.

Europe Travel Statistics Resources

• Austria Statistics
• Belgium Statistics
• Croatia Statistics
• Denmark Statistics
• France Statistics (incl. Paris, Disneyland Paris, Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre Dame)
• Georgia Statistics
• Germany Statistics (incl. Berlin)
• Greece Statistics (incl. Parthenon)
• Iceland Statistics
• Italy Statistics (incl. Florence, Milan, Rome, Venice)
• Netherlands Statistics (incl. Amsterdam)
• Norway Statistics
• Portugal Statistics (incl. Lisbon)
• Spain Statistics (incl. Barcelona, Madrid, Mallorca)
• Sweden Statistics
• UK Statistics (incl. Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Oxford, Scotland)

---

References

1. SFCS: Switzerland Tourism in Figures ↩︎
2. SFCS: Tourism Arrivals per Origin ↩︎