Switzerland beckons Indian tourists to the "Year of Water'

Celebrating its famous glaciers, lakes, and rivers, Switzerland Tourism has dedicated 2012 to the "Year of Water'. The new initiatives and campaigns of Switzerland tourism for this year will focus on water and its role in the lives of Swiss people. This creates a perfect backdrop for Indian tourists, since Indians have long revered water as divine.

Switzerland Tourism in India chalked up a very successful 2011 in spite of the economic slowdown testimony to which was the 20.3 % growth in total overnights from India resulting in a total of 4,56,930 overnights spent by Indians in Switzerland. Swiss Tourism registered splendid growth of 100% over last five years with a consolidated total of 1.55m overnights spent by Indians, making it one of the most favoured destinations globally by Indians.

Michael Maeder, Managing Director, Switzerland Tourism India said, "India is a very important market for us. Last year the Swiss Government, realising the importance of Indian tourists, had allocated an extra marketing budget for India. After observing the immense success of this campaign, similar additional budget has been allocated this year as well."

As a part of special initiative for Mumbai, Switzerland Tourism shall celebrate special "Swiss Day', offering an exclusive opportunity for Mumbaikars to experience the "Swissness'. Scheduled to be held during Feb last week, it will be a 2-day long celebrations offering the glimpses of Switzerland, its splendid glaciers, lakes and magnificent beauty.