Key Findings:

Impact of COVID-19: 

• The report was finalized as COVID-19 began impacting Europe, significantly altering the positive trends seen in 2019. The pandemic led to widespread uncertainty in the industry, with expectations of market adjustments due to declining liquidity among struggling hotels. 

• The industry was expected to face challenges related to risk management, with hoteliers needing to adapt quickly to new realities. This period was seen as an opportunity to reassess and implement stronger risk management practices across the sector​​. 

Market Overview: 

• In 2019, Switzerland saw a 2.1% growth in arrivals and a 1.9% increase in nights spent, despite a 0.6% decrease in the total number of hotels. The number of rooms, however, increased by 1.1%, indicating a trend towards larger properties. 

• The average size of chain hotels slightly decreased to 107 rooms, while the total chain penetration by rooms remained steady at 26.1%​​. 

Chain Hotel Growth: 

• The Swiss market continued its trend towards economy and midscale properties, with significant developments in Zürich and Geneva. A notable portion of new room supply in 2020/2021 was expected to be in serviced apartments, particularly around Lake Geneva​​. 

• Despite the overall growth, the number of chain hotels grew modestly by 1.9%, adding 17 hotels and 1,492 rooms to the market. This included new entries as well as de-brandings and re-brandings​​. 

 Business Models: 

• Lease agreements and owned/managed models dominated the business landscape, representing the majority of chain hotels in Switzerland. Franchise and managed models were also prevalent, particularly among international brands​​. 

 Pipeline and Future Developments: 

• The development pipeline for 2020/2021 included significant projects in Zürich, Geneva, and the Berne region, with a strong focus on midscale and upscale segments. The expected new room supply was anticipated to be heavily influenced by the ongoing global situation, with adjustments likely due to the pandemic​​. 

 The Swiss hotel industry, while initially poised for continued growth in 2020, faced unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus has shifted towards managing risks and adapting to new market conditions. However, the pipeline of developments, particularly in major cities, indicates a resilient sector with potential for recovery once the pandemic’s impacts are mitigated. 

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