National Council puts the brakes on tourism promotion

The large chamber thus remains in line with the Federal Council. The majority emphasized that the financial situation was uncomfortable and did not allow for any further additional expenditure - especially as Switzerland Tourism lacked a clear strategy. It was incomprehensible that the Council of States was now throwing millions around, criticized Thomas Maier (GLP/ZH). A minority argued that the tourism industry was particularly hard hit by the strong franc. Markus Ritter (CVP/SG) called for concrete measures and no more lip service. In the end, the minority motion failed by 103 votes to 78 with 8 abstentions. The Council of States had voted in favor of increasing the tourism promotion budget by CHF 9.5 million per year (Werbewoche.ch reported).

Administrative relief

The Councils also disagree on other credits for the promotion of business locations. The National Council wants to leave the amount for the promotion of e-government at CHF 5.3 million to CHF 12.4 million - against the wishes of the Federal Council and the Council of States. The decision was made by 94 votes to 92 with one abstention. Among other things, the money is intended to reduce the administrative burden on SMEs by enabling them to process administrative procedures at federal, cantonal and communal level via a portal.

More money for export promotion

In contrast, the National Council followed the line of the Council of States with regard to the payment framework for export promotion. It decided to increase the amount by CHF 4.4 million to CHF 94 million by a casting vote of the President of the Council. In the National Council's version, the package thus amounts to CHF 373 million. It also includes the promotion of innovation and cooperation in tourism, the extension of the additional loan for the Hotelkredit company and the promotion of information about Switzerland as a business location. The Federal Council had requested CHF 374 million for the promotion of Switzerland as a business location. This is 58 million more than in the previous period. Even then, Parliament increased the loans.

New regional policy

The bill also includes the second multi-year program of the New Regional Policy 2016 to 2023, for which the Federal Council has earmarked CHF 230 million. On Tuesday, the National Council maintained its commitment to promoting sustainable innovation in the implementation of the new regional policy. The federal government is using the program to support mountain regions, rural areas and border regions in coping with structural change. The matter will now return to the Council of States. (SDA/hae)