Swiss Alpine communities suffer from mass tourism and take measures to limit the number of visitors; construction at the Zurich Airport train station will disrupt some traffic; and more news in our Tuesday roundup.
Swiss mountain regions are cracking down on mass tourism
Popular regions like Iseltwald and Lauterbrunnen, both in the Bernese Oberland, are among Swiss communities struggling with the consequences of mass tourism — including traffic jams and general overcrowding.
This is especially the case during the summer holidays, but tourists flock to well-known mountain communities all year.
So far, there is no national strategy to tackle this problem, but some places are already taking measures such as access restrictions and entrance fees, with others considering imposing limits as well.
That’s because ‘overtourism’ can drive up rents, and lead to the disappearance of local infrastructure in favour of tourist venues, according to Adrian Müller, tourism researcher at the University of Bern.
Therefore, experts at Switzerland Tourism recommend a better distribution of visitor flows.
The organisation is promoting ‘off-the-beaten-track’ destinations as alternatives mass-tourism places.
Accordingly, the tourism body’s campaigns deliberately focus on less frequented destinations.
Train disruption at Zurich airport from next week
The SBB will be carrying out maintenance work at the Zurich Airport station from August 11th to October 3rd.
During this period, one track will be closed, resulting in some timetable changes.
Specifically, the IC5 trains in the Lausanne-Zurich HB-Rorschach direction will be rerouted between Zurich HB and Winterthur and will not stop at Zurich Airport.
The EC trains from Zurich HB in the direction of Munich will be diverted between Zurich HB and Winterthur and will also not stop at Zurich Airport.
And the IR36 trains from Basel SBB to Zurich Airport will terminate in Zurich Oerlikon and will be canceled in both directions between Zurich Oerlikon and Zurich Airport.
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And speaking of train travel…
More light, less noise: Bern’s central station is undergoing major remodelling
Every day, around 200,000 people board, disembark, or change trains at Bern’s station.
However, as many of the old platforms are dark, with a ‘basement-like’ atmosphere, the SBB is making the platforms brighter and generally more commuter-friendly.
Among changes are platform ceilings designed not only to provide more light, but also to reduce squeaking and rattling of the trains.
“It will be quieter on the platforms, and the acoustics for announcements will be improved,” the SBB said.
In addition to the new platform ceilings, the SBB is also working on a long glass wall next to Platform 1, which will open up the gloomy space to a square in front of the station, bringing daylight into the hall.
The old concrete wall around the station will be gradually demolished over the next four years and replaced with a glass panel.
The new, refurbished station will open in 2029.
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