Martin Nydegger becomes new director of Switzerland Tourism

At its meeting on September 29, 2017, the Federal Council approved the election of the Director by the Board of Directors. The new election had become necessary after the incumbent Director Jürg Schmid announced at the end of May that he would be leaving Switzerland Tourism at the end of the year. The search for a successor was initiated immediately thereafter and could now be concluded as planned with the election of Nydegger.

Extensive tourism and marketing experience

Martin Nydegger has been a member of the Executive Board of Switzerland Tourism since 2008 and heads the Business Development division. Prior to that, he managed the ST branch office in Amsterdam for three years. Before joining ST, he held various positions in tourism, including six years as director of the Engadin Scuol tourism organization. Nydegger, who is based in Bern, holds an exec. MBA in strategic business management and has repeatedly undergone further training in marketing management. He is married and has an eleven-year-old son.

"We are very happy"

The ST Board's search committee was able to select from a number of highly qualified candidates in a multi-stage selection process. Among them, Nydegger best fulfilled the criteria. His vast tourism experience and in-depth knowledge of Switzerland Tourism will also ensure a smooth transition and continuity in the initial phase. "It was impressive how many excellent applications we were able to review. We are very happy that we have now found the most suitable new director for ST in Martin Nydegger. Based on his international tourism experience, his strategic competence and his cosmopolitan spirit, as well as a dose of continuity, he is the right person to successfully lead ST into a new era," says Jean-François Roth, President of the ST Board of Directors on the election of the new director.

Smooth transition ensured

Martin Nydegger will take up his new position on January 1, 2018. Jürg Schmid is still employed by ST until the end of 2017 and is preparing the details of the handover of his duties in the final weeks of his term of office. However, the new director will be available before the turn of the year to ensure a smooth transition. "Swiss tourism has major challenges ahead of it: pioneering digitization, changing guest structures, securing international competitiveness, and renewing infrastructures and offerings. I am extremely pleased to be working with the experienced and motivated team at Switzerland Tourism and the entire industry to meet these challenges in the coming years with innovative and effective approaches," says Martin Nydegger.