Tag Archives: 3.) Swiss Info

Watches were among the poorest performing Swiss exports in April. (© Keystone / Gaetan Bally) Swiss watch exports slumped by over 80% last month, recording sales of just CHF329 million ($339 million) – compared with CHF1.76 billion in April 2019. Both exports and imports in all industries endured a predictably dire performance as Covid-19 resulted in national lockdowns. Figures from the Federal Customs Administrationexternal link on Tuesday revealed the gravity of...

While demand for public transport collapsed during Switzerland’s partial lockdown, bicycle usage soared across the country. But greater acceptance of cycling nationwide will depend on further political decisions and transport planning. Ernst Leuthold, the owner of a bike shop in Bern, can’t believe his eyes. “It’s amazing to see all these people who haven’t been on a bike for years and then suddenly feel the need to do so,” he declared. Daniel Schärer, director of...

The future of tourism? A couple of hikers by the Seealpsee in northeastern Switzerland on May 17 (Keystone) Going on holiday in one’s own country and in the countryside, in smaller groups and sometimes with restrictions – this is the new reality to which the tourism industry must adapt, according to a study by the University of St Gallen. Mobility and socialising: both are undesirable in times of Covid-19. The tourism industry was therefore the first to be affected...

Zurich Airport, as pictured in mid-March (Keystone / Ennio Leanza) The head of a major Swiss travel agency has complained that Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is not helping to reimburse clients fast enough. In the event of cancellations such as those prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic, Swiss package tour operators are legally obliged to provide refunds. But according to Thomas Stirnimann, the chief executive officer of Hotelplan, SWISS is not repaying the...

The DP-3T contact tracing app has been tested initially with members of the Swiss army (Keystone / Laurent Gillieron) A Swiss smartphone app that uses Apple-Google technology to help trace coronavirus infections has widespread support among the population, a new survey shows. Around 70% of Swiss residents welcome the introduction of the decentralised contact tracing application DP-3T, according to a poll published on Monday by the research consultancy Sotomoexternal...

Efforts are underway in Switzerland to accelerate the  development of sustainable aviation fuel. The aviation industry is a top greenhouse gas emitter. (Keystone) The Lufthansa Group has entered a partnership with the Swiss solar fuel developer Synhelion. The Swiss start-up is working to produce a fuel that emits 50% less CO2 by 2022 and plans to market a 100% renewable fuel in 2030. “We really have something here that demonstrates in a solid way that there is an...

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that this is biggest challenge in the history of the EU.  (Keystone / Andreas Gora / Pool) Ueli Maurer has warned that the financial crisis following Covid-19 and the resulting instability in Europe are a danger for Switzerland. In an interview with public broadcaster RTSexternal link on Tuesday, he said that he is concerned about the repercussions on Switzerland of a possible debt crisis in certain countries, especially...

Maechler was appointed to the SNB board in 2014. (Keystone/Marcel Bieri) The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has dismissed demands to increase its payout to help the economy cope with the costs of the coronavirus pandemic. Governing board member Andréa Maechler an additional financial contribution would counteract monetary policy. “We are already making our contribution to the efforts to cope with the crisis not only by intervening on the currency markets,” she told the...

Parmelin says the government will try to prevent a second lockdown at all costs. (Keystone/Alessandro Della Valle) Economics Minister Guy Parmelin says it is crucial to end the lockdown and prevent a collapse of the unemployment scheme to ensure Switzerland’s economic recovery from the coronavirus crisis. Parmelin said the government would decide on an injection of additional funds into the state unemployment scheme at one of its next meetings. Failure to do so would...

The Blue Lake in Arolla, southwestern Switzerland Switzerland Tourism has welcomed next month’s re-opening of borders with France, Germany and Austria. It believes the country’s reputation for cleanliness and tidiness could be a selling point once the Covid-19 pandemic dies down. “What doesn’t seem very sexy in normal times can be a big plus in times of crisis,” said Urs Eberhard, deputy director of Switzerland Tourismexternal link, in an interview with news agency...