SWITZERLAND saw impressive double-digit growth in arrivals from Singapore in 2012, which it hopes to further nurture with its e-learning course for travel consultants, launched in January.
According to Switzerland Tourism during a media conference yesterday, tourist numbers from Singapore shot up by a whopping 27.6 per cent from 55,310 in 2011 to 70,565 last year.
While group tours continue to dominate tourist arrivals from this market, Ivan Breiter, Switzerland Tourism’s director-South-east Asia, said FITs were a growing market, with “more individual travellers in search of unique experiences”.
Singaporeans were also extending their stays beyond the usual one or two days, he added. Hotel overnights increased by 18.2 per cent to 129,970 from 2011 to 2012.
Breiter said: “These additional nights spent show us that they are taking time to explore deeper into Switzerland.”
Switzerland Tourism’s e-learning course hopes to help travel consultants better plan and market trips. Upon completion of the eight-module online course and final test, they will be recognised as Certified Switzerland Specialists.
Seleen Koh, manager for outbound group travel, Dynasty Travel, said: “This course helps to refresh our memory and allows us to advise the FIT group better as we need to customise their itineraries more.”
Sam How, general manager, Asia-Euro Holidays Singapore, added: “Switzerland is very convenient for FITs because transport there is very synchronised. You only need the Swiss Pass to go anywhere by train, bus or boat. It also helps that it is very safe compared to neighbouring countries in Europe.”
In June last year, Switzerland Tourism opened a South-east Asia office in Singapore to draw more arrivals from the region. Singapore was the largest South-east Asian market in 2011, accounting for some 35 per cent of total arrivals from the region (TTG Asia e-Daily, February 22, 2012).
