Executive Summary
Switzerland recorded a total of 62.0 million overnight stays in hotel and para-hotel accommodation in 2025, an increase of 3.2% compared to 2024. Para-hotel accommodation alone rose by 4.7% to 18.1 million nights. Foreign guests generated 29.1 million nights (+4.9%), domestic guests 32.9 million (+1.7%). Holiday apartments dominated with 7.4 million nights (+4.3%), campsites grew by 8.2% to 5.2 million. The Lake Geneva region and Eastern Switzerland were the strongest regions.
Persons
- Federal Statistical Office (FSO) (Data publication)
Topics
- Swiss tourism
- Accommodation statistics
- Para-hotel accommodation
- Regional tourism development
Clarus Lead
The sustained growth in foreign demand (+4.9%) signals robust international demand for Switzerland as a travel destination, while weaker domestic growth (+1.7%) indicates limited domestic demand. The strong dynamics in holiday apartments and campsites show a shift towards alternative accommodation forms, which is relevant for tourism policy planning. European guests dominate with over 77% of foreign demand, underscoring regional dependency.
Detailed Summary
Commercially operated holiday apartments formed the backbone of para-hotel accommodation in 2025, accounting for 40.7% of all para-hotel nights. With 7.4 million nights, they grew by 4.3% – driven by foreign guests (+8.6% to 3.1 million), while domestic guests increased by only 1.4% (4.2 million). The average length of stay was 5.9 nights, significantly longer than in other accommodation forms. Collective accommodations (hotels, guest houses) recorded 5.5 million nights (+1.9%), with foreign visitors growing by 11.6%. Campsites showed the strongest growth at 8.2% to 5.2 million nights, driven by both markets (domestic +6.7%, foreign +10.7%). European guests made up 96.4% of foreign campsite visitors. Regionally, the Lake Geneva region led with 2.7 million nights in holiday apartments, while Eastern Switzerland dominated collective accommodations (1.5 million). Espace Mittelland and the Lake Geneva region shared leadership in campsites with 1.2 million nights each.
Key Messages
- Swiss accommodation grew by 3.2% in 2025 to 62.0 million nights, driven by foreign demand (+4.9%)
- Holiday apartments are the most dominant segment with 40.7% of para-hotel nights and show stronger foreign growth
- European guests generate over three-quarters of foreign demand and concentrate on campsites (96.4%)
Critical Questions
Evidence: How are overnight stays in para-hotel accommodation recorded – are the data based on reporting obligations or extrapolations from samples?
Data Quality: To what extent does recording accuracy differ between commercial holiday apartments and private rentals, which may be underreported?
Causality: What factors explain the different growth rates of domestic (+1.7%) and foreign demand (+4.9%) – price effects, seasonality, or structural market changes?
Conflicts of Interest: How is the distinction between para-hotel accommodation and private accommodation rental (e.g., Airbnb) made statistically, and are all segments captured?
Feasibility: What are the implications of campsite dynamics (+8.2%) for infrastructure planning and land use in tourist regions?
Regional Disparity: Why does Eastern Switzerland grow more strongly in collective accommodations, while the Lake Geneva region leads in holiday apartments – what market differentiation is present?
Bibliography
Primary Source: Para-hotel accommodation statistics 2025 – www.bfs.admin.ch/news/de/2026-0358
Verification Status: ✓ 29.05.2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-check: 29.05.2026