Tourism associations call for investment in digitalization
The national tourism associations are calling for investment in digitalization in order to remain competitive in the future. This is one of the industry's key concerns for the 2020-2023 dispatch on promoting Switzerland as a business location, which is currently being prepared by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
The tourism associations have drawn up a list of demands and submitted it to Minister of Economic Affairs Johann Schneider-Ammann, as they announced on Sunday. Following the weakening of the Swiss franc, the situation for Swiss tourism is better than it has been for many years. And it should stay that way. In future, all reporting obligations, such as overnight stays or visitor's taxes, are to be collected digitally and automated via a platform. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular, this would be a major bureaucratic relief.
Furthermore, the marketing organization Switzerland Tourism must promote the cross-cantonal networking of systems. This also includes standardized data management and the provision of sharing services for tourism stakeholders. The funding opportunities of the Swiss Society for Hotel Credit (SGH) should also be adapted.
In future, the SGH should also be able to provide favorable loans for IT and automation projects. The tourism associations are also calling for the federal government to ensure a nationwide digital infrastructure. In addition to the expansion of broadband, 5G mobile technology will also be important to ensure a successful digital transformation in all regions of Switzerland.
A central office
The tourism associations are also convinced that the federal government needs a central point of contact for tourism. This would make it easier for smaller players in particular to access funding programs.
Finally, the associations are calling for an independent directorate for tourism to be established at Seco. The list of demands was drawn up by the Swiss Tourism Association, Hotelleriesuisse, Gastrosuisse, Parahotellerie Schweiz, Seilbahnen Schweiz, the Conference of Regional Tourism Directors in Switzerland and the Swiss Public Transport Association. (SDA)
