The catering and hotel industry employs around 225,000 people in some 30,000 business. The Swiss hotel industry, which also includes sanatoria, recorded 35.5 million overnight stays in 2009. Switzerland's tourist infrastructure is extensive, making it a year round destination. There are a great many winter and summer resorts to choose from not to mention thermal baths and conference hotels. Yet, Switzerland's most important tourist attractions are its untouched and diverse landscapes as well as its vibrant culture life. The national tourist board Switzerland Tourism and regional tourist organizations work tirelessly to ensure that Switzerland remains an exciting and attractive tourist destination.
Customs and Traditions
The Swiss have always maintained and nurtured their own local customs, and because of this, Switzerland is a country with an enormous wealth of cultural activity and living tradition. No matter whether there is dancing taking place or not, Swiss folk music is mainly dance music. Alphorn, the sound of natural tones, is regarded as a typically Swiss instrument.
The warm sounds of this original instrument are far-reaching - which is probably the reason it was once used by shepherds to communicate. Yodeling, which you should try natural yodeling as this original form of yodeling is done without words. It was only in the 19th century that yodel choirs were formed that sang the yodeling songs with lyrics.
Switzerland has many customs that are tied to the calendar - most are of pagan origin or have a religious connection. The festivals celebrated in Switzerland differ considerably depending on the season and the region. Some are based on ancient traditions while others have emerged only recently.
Many of them reflect the course of the agricultural year, such as the ringing in of the vineyard workers in spring, the Alpine ascent and descent during the summer months, and the wine festivals, the Chästeilet cheese sharing and the Älplerchilbi carnivals in autumn. Because there was less for farmers to do in winter than in other seasons, there were more celebrations and customs during this time.
Even today, the expulsion of winter and of evil spirits and demons forms part of the tradition - a tradition that is linked to the numerous carnival and year-end ceremonies. Other celebrations recall historical events such as important victories in historical battles.
The Swiss Art and Culture Scene
As a country where diverse traditions and cultures meet and interact, Switzerland has been a melting-pot in the heart of Europe since time immemorial. This is why cultural life in cosmopolitan Switzerland displays such enormous variety.
Especially considering Switzerland's size and population, this country is a leading nation in terms of the arts. There is no such thing as "typically Swiss art". There is a clear and repeated focus on the Alps as a living environment. The tendency to be modest is also a recurrent theme. But by and large, the arts in Switzerland are just as diverse as the country itself. On the other hand, the abundance of places where art can be admired or bought is a typically Swiss feature.
There is virtually no other country on earth with as many museums per head of the population as Switzerland. There are also numerous galleries and auctions as well as international and regional fairs to delight the hearts of art enthusiasts from all over the world. Purchasing art in Switzerland is not a difficult undertaking. As well as the internationally renowned Basel Art Fair, a host of galleries and auction houses tempt art lovers from all over the world.
Typical food and wine
The food in Switzerland is a potpourri of influences from various countries. It combines the cuisines of its neighbors and creates from them a local cuisine with local ingredients. There are a few dishes and specialities, such as fondue, Älplermagronen and chocolate, that are typical of Switzerland, but there is no real Swiss cuisine to speak of. There is a cuisine with Bernese Platter and Bernese Rösti. A cuisine with Vaud sausage and leeks. A cuisine with St. Gallen Ribelmais and whitefish from Lake Constance.
The Valais is famous for its raclette, Graubünden for its Capuns, Zürich for its Geschnetzeltes, Lucerne for its Chügelipastete and Ticino for its Mortadella und Luganighe. You will find sausage everywhere - Switzerland is home to almost 350 different varieties. And that is - in terms of land area - clearly a world record. And incidentally, while not quite the world leader, the Swiss wines are well on the way there. Besides the well-known classics, Switzerland provides for unique tasting pleasure with its new types of wine and development of indigenous varieties.