Swiss mountain railways carry 10% more summer guests

Swiss mountain railways carried 10% more guests from May to the end of September than during the same period last year, SRF reported Monday, citing industry association Seilbahnen Schweiz. The hot, dry summer and sunny September weather helped drive demand.

Compared with the average for the past five years, admissions were up 28%. The association said summer business is also becoming more important over the longer term.

The Bernese Oberland recorded the biggest year-on-year increase, at 22%. Graubünden was up 13%, the Vaud and Fribourg Alps rose 10%, central Switzerland gained 7% and Valais was up 2%. Ticino and eastern Switzerland were level with last year. In eastern Switzerland, the closure of the Säntis aerial cableway for reconstruction work weighed on the figures.

Railways at elevations of 1,000 to 2,000 metres were especially popular during the persistent heat in the lowlands, with admissions rising 15%, the association said. Its monitoring covers guest numbers from more than 140 mountain railway companies. The summer tourist season runs from May to October.