Since 1 December 2022, contracts that online platforms often get hotels to sign to stop them offering prices lower than those offered via the platform are no longer legally enforceable in Switzerland due to a change in law. This week, broadcaster RTS published the results of a market test it performed to see if the […]
Public funding of WEF security angers critics
The World Economic Forum (WEF), an exclusive gathering of wealthy folks dropping in on private jets is viewed by many as out of touch with the key challenges currently faced by the global population. Swiss critics of the event are angered that an event closed to the public is provided with publicly funded security, reported […]
No Covid tests for travellers from China entering Switzerland
On 11 January 2023, Switzerland’s government announced that the current epidemiological situation does not warrant compulsory testing for travellers from China. The Swiss Federal Council discussed the latest EU recommendations on the measures to be taken for persons entering the Union by air when it met on 11 January 2023 and decided that travellers from […]
Swiss airports almost at pre-pandemic passenger levels
Geneva and Zurich airports both have pre-Christmas passenger numbers close to pre-pandemic levels, reported RTS. On Friday 23 December 2022, more than 55,000 passengers passed through Geneva airport (Cointrin), roughly 3,000 more than the day before. According to airport management, this level is close to the numbers in 2019 before Covid-19 arrived. The highest daily […]
Goldenpass trains to run between Montreux and Interlaken for first time
Until now, it hasn’t been possible to run a single train on the scenic route from Montreux, on the shore of Lake Geneva, all the way to Interlaken on the shore of Lake Brienz. From 11 December 2022, Goldenpass trains operated by MOB, that currently only run as far as Zweisimmen, will carry passengers onwards […]
Swiss hotels soon allowed to undercut platforms on price
Many agencies and online platforms get hotels to sign contracts that stop them offering prices lower than those offered by the agency or platform. From 1 December 2022, it will no longer possible to legally enforce these arrangements as they will be deemed an unfair trading practice. On 16 November 2022, the Federal Council brought […]
New Swiss passport features rivers and mountains
The new Swiss passport, available from Monday, features Switzerland’s rivers and mountains. The latest series, Switzerland’s fifth passport design, aims to be both traditional and cosmopolitan. Water, a key feature of the new design, shapes and forms the Swiss landscape and symbolises life and motion, announced the Federal Office of Police (Fedpol). The first page […]
Switzerland breaks record for longest train
On 29 October 2022, Switzerland ran the longest passenger train in the world from Preda to Alvaneu in the mountainous canton of Graubunden in eastern Switzerland, reported RTS. The train, made up of 100 carriages and measuring close to 2 km long (1,910 metres), made the 25 km journey in around 45 minutes. The train, […]
New Swiss train pass coming in 2023
After being hit hard by the pandemic, Swiss Rail is looking for ways to encourage greater use of its network. This week it announced a new kind of pass that should be available towards the end of 2023, reported 20 Minutes. The “Public transport credit” pass or “Credit TP” pass will allow travellers to buy […]
Swiss fines for face covering reduced to 1,000 francs
On 7 March 2021, a vote to ban face covering at a federal level was accepted by 51.2% of Swiss voters. Since then the government has been working on implementing the decision. This week it presented the details. After the latest consultation on the subject the Federal Council decided on Wednesday on a maximum fine of CHF 1,000 instead of […]
