Positive final balance sheet of the Swiss host cities for Euro 2008
The four Swiss host cities of Euro 2008 are satisfied with the Euro 2008 summer, even though the total number of overnight stays declined compared to June 2007. However, revenue increased due to price hikes. Thanks to the increased visibility of the cities resulting from Euro 2008, more visitors from abroad are expected.
The four Swiss host cities of the 2008 European Football Championship are satisfied with the Euro 2008 summer. Although there were fewer overnight hotel stays in Zurich (-4.8 percent), Bern (-12.7 percent) and Geneva (-5.1 percent) than in June 2007, turnover increased due to higher prices. The decline in overnight stays is explained by the fact that traditional city travelers and congress guests stayed away due to the Euro 2008 and the price increases. "We overestimated the potential for travel to Switzerland in connection with the Euro," said Zurich's Tourism Director Frank Bumann at a joint media conference with tourism experts from the three other host cities. Only Basel recorded more overnight stays than in the same month last year (+4.3 percent), where the international art fair Art Basel took place in addition to the Euro 2008.
The tourism organizations of the four host cities are hoping for a lasting effect and an improvement in the image of their cities. Zürich Tourism believes that Euro 2008 has raised the profile of the city on the Limmat and strengthened its image in the long term. Meanwhile, Thomas Lüthi from Bern Tourism says that they have hit the jackpot with the Dutch. "The pictures of the orange Bundesplatz went around the world. This advertising is priceless." The other host cities are also hoping for lasting advertising effects and image improvements.
Zürich Tourism confirms the great interest shown by the international media. According to its director, the major event has provided "important impetus for the future development of tourism in Zurich".
The tourism organizations of the four host cities are hoping for a lasting effect and an improvement in the image of their cities. Zürich Tourism believes that Euro 2008 has raised the profile of the city on the Limmat and strengthened its image in the long term. Meanwhile, Thomas Lüthi from Bern Tourism says that they have hit the jackpot with the Dutch. "The pictures of the orange Bundesplatz went around the world. This advertising is priceless." The other host cities are also hoping for lasting advertising effects and image improvements.
Zürich Tourism confirms the great interest shown by the international media. According to its director, the major event has provided "important impetus for the future development of tourism in Zurich".
