Statistics on tourist accommodation – Marked decline in overnight stays in May 2009
Neuchâtel, 6.7.2009 - (FSO) - According to provisional results from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the Swiss hotel industry registered 2.4 million overnight stays in May 2009, which represents a decrease of 10% (-284,000 overnight stays) compared with May 2008. This decrease is attributable on one hand to visitors from abroad, who fell by 13% (-208,000 overnight stays), and on the other to Swiss visitors, who declined by 6.8% (-76,000 overnight stays). The cumulative number of overnight stays from January to May 2009 was 14 million. This represents a decrease of 7.9% compared with the same period a year earlier. Foreign tourists registered a more pronounced decline than domestic visitors, i.e. 9.8% fewer overnight stays (-876,000). Swiss visitors registered a decline of 5.3% (-336,000 overnight stays).