Surprising in Switzerland: “awareness will not be enough in the long term”

Access restrictions, entrance tax and presence of rangers: some tourist destinations take measures to stem the effects of surcourism. Furthermore, A national strategy could see the light of day in the coming years.

These photos circulate regularly on social networks. We see Asian visitors piled up on the Pontoon of Lake Iseltwald to capture the perfect selfie. or even a traffic jam that paralyzes the center of Lauterbrunnen.

The phenomenon of surcourism is not new on a global scale. Switzerland does not escape it, even if the phenomenon remains limited there. “Like many countries, Switzerland is punctually affected by surcourism, in certain regions and at certain periods. But here. it does not manifest itself in a general surprising switzerland: “awareness will not or permanent way, ”explains Adrian Müller, tourism researcher at the University of Bern.

An observation to be nuanced. however: “Surbournism is a phenomenon perceived in a subjective way: if daily life is disturbed, a place can be considered as surflical, even with a moderate occupancy rate in absolute figures”, he adds.

Direct and indirect misdeeds – Surprising switzerland: "awareness will not

The surcourism generates very concrete repercussions. Researchers distinguish direct effects – overload of infrastructure. traffic jams, crowded public transport, endless queues, overfrequentation of public spaces – and more diffuse nuisances, such as noise, waste or tensions related to space sharing.

“The indirect consequences can also be social. economic: increase in rents, multiplication of short -term rentals, disappearance of local infrastructure. These dynamics can affect social diversity in certain districts, ”notes Mr. Müller.

Still disparate measures

In Switzerland, there is not yet a coordinated national strategy to fight against surcourism. “The surprising switzerland: “awareness will not subject will however be integrated as a priority in the next revision of the national tourism strategy. Overcutching is therefore recognized as a challenge at the federal level, ”notes Adrian Müller.

Some regions have already taken the lead by establishing local measures: access restrictions, entry prices, communication campaigns or even Rangers. In the canton of Appenzell Rhodes-interior, a parking reservation system has been set up. Especially to limit the overfretation of the Alpstein.

In Lake Oeschinensee, in the canton of Bern, the booking of the cable car is now compulsory. Three Sundays in the summer, access to Lake Klöntal, in the canton of Glaris, is prohibited for cars.

From initiatives to the first promising, but still fragmented effects. “Based only on communication or awareness will not be enough in the long term. A combination of targeted measures seems essential, ”says the expert.

Distribution in time. space

To counter the harmful effects of surcourism, Switzerland Tourism intends to distribute flows in time, – in particular by valuing stays in spring and autumn – and in space, by promoting destinations outside of conventional circuits. Their campaign of “the magic of beautiful sites” thus highlights less frequented places such as Berthoud (BE). Bremgarten (AG) or Auvernier (NE).

“A solution is to aim for qualitative rather than quantitative growth: not more visitors. but better value added by stay,” adds Mr. Müller. And the specialist to evoke longer stays, the use of local providers, the consumption of regional products as potential tracks.