Overtourism could give way to sustainable travel

Let me state from the outset, you won’t get a discount if you mention to your travel agent that you read this article when you book your trip to Switzerland this summer. But it will be nice to have you back; Switzerland – in line with much of Europe – is planning to open up to overseas visitors in a few short weeks. And since we haven’t seen you in a while, I expect you’ll be welcomed with open arms! I can assure you, the place hasn’t changed much. Of course, we have taken to wearing masks (often as flimsy elbow padding) and like to keep our distance, but you’re used to that by now. Change is in the works though. After the pandemic sent the sector into a downward spiral, from the worrying heights of overtourism to the pit of no tourism at all, the global industry has been rethinking how it does business. “Sustainable” has become the buzzword for the recovery expected this summer. That has been interpreted as fewer trips but longer stays allowing you time to get off the...