Switzerland's tourism industry traces its roots back to the early 19th century when British mountaineers began climbing the main peaks of the Bernese Alps. The establishment of the Alpine Club in London in 1857 further fueled the interest in Alpine exploration. Additionally, the country gained recognition as a destination for reconvalescence, particularly for those seeking treatment for tuberculosis, with places like Davos in Graubünden becoming popular.
The Bernese Oberland, known for its association with British mountaineering, emerged as a prominent tourist destination. The Reichenbach Falls in Meiringen gained literary fame as the site of Sherlock Holmes' fictional death in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's works. The 19th century also saw the introduction of organized tourist holidays to Switzerland by companies like Thomas Cook and Lunn Travel. Initially, tourism in Switzerland catered exclusively to the wealthy, but it gradually became more accessible and popular among a wider audience in the 20th century.
Switzerland boasts numerous notable tourist destinations across its diverse regions. The large cities of Zurich, Bern, Lucerne, Basel, Geneva, and Lausanne offer a blend of cultural and urban experiences. Smaller cities like Montreux, Sion, Thun, Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Schaffhausen, St. Gallen, Chur, and Lugano also have their own unique charm. The country's alpine resorts in Grisons, such as St. Moritz, Scuol, Davos, Arosa, and Central Switzerland's Engelberg and Andermatt, attract visitors with their picturesque landscapes and recreational activities.
Switzerland boasts numerous notable tourist destinations across its diverse regions. The large cities of Zurich, Bern, Lucerne, Basel, Geneva, and Lausanne offer a blend of cultural and urban experiences. Smaller cities like Montreux, Sion, Thun, Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Schaffhausen, St. Gallen, Chur, and Lugano also have their own unique charm. The country's alpine resorts in Grisons, such as St. Moritz, Scuol, Davos, Arosa, and Central Switzerland's Engelberg and Andermatt, attract visitors with their picturesque landscapes and recreational activities.
Eastern Switzerland's Appenzell and Wildhaus, Valais' Aletsch, Verbier, Crans-Montana, Saas-Fee, and Zermatt, Vaud's Leysin, Bernese Oberland's Grindelwald, Gstaad, and Interlaken, and Ticino's Airolo offer a wide range of experiences for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. The natural regions of the Bernese Alps, Valais Alps, and Gotthard Massif showcase Switzerland's stunning mountainous landscapes, including iconic peaks like Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau, Monte Rosa, and the Matterhorn. The country's extensive network of road passes, such as the Gotthard Pass, and the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn railway add to the allure of the Gotthard Massif region.
Tourism in Switzerland is characterized by a strong emphasis on hiking, which is often considered the "national sport". Approximately one-third of the population regularly engages in hiking, resulting in a staggering 520 million kilometers being traveled each year. Alongside cycling, walking is the preferred mode of transportation for both locals and tourists, regardless of their social background. The country boasts an extensive hiking trail network spanning approximately 65,000 kilometers.
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Hiking is a popular activity in Switzerland and is often regarded as the country's "national sport". With approximately one-third of the population regularly participating in hiking, the Swiss collectively cover a distance of 520 million kilometers annually. Walking, along with cycling, is the preferred mode of transportation for both locals and visitors, irrespective of their social status. Switzerland offers an extensive network of hiking trails, spanning a total of around 65,000 kilometers.
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