Switzerland’s hotel industry saw a historic milestone in 2024, with a record-breaking 42.8 million overnight stays, as reported by the government on Thursday.

This achievement signals a strong recovery for the country's tourism sector, which had faced significant challenges in recent years, including a lack of snow and the severe impact of pandemic-related shutdowns.

The 2024 figure marks a 2.6% increase from the previous year, with a notable surge in demand from international visitors, according to the Federal Statistical Office.

While domestic demand remained relatively stable, the increase in international visitors was particularly striking, with a 5.1% rise to 22 million stays.

This surge brought international tourist numbers to the highest level seen in at least 50 years, as reported by Reuters news agency.

Germany emerged as the largest source of foreign tourists to Switzerland, followed by visitors from the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.

In addition, the number of overnight stays from visitors from China experienced a significant boost, indicating a continued recovery in tourism from the Asian market, which had plummeted during the pandemic.

Tourism plays a critical role in Switzerland’s economy, supporting the equivalent of 167,000 full-time jobs, or about 4% of the country’s total workforce.

Furthermore, the tourism sector generates nearly 3% of Switzerland’s gross domestic product (GDP), underlining its vital contribution to the nation’s economic stability and growth.