Europ Assistance 2024 holiday barometer

Summer holidays for the Swiss: what are they planning this year?

Where is their ideal holiday destination? What budget are the Swiss planning to spend and what are their main concerns when planning their summer? Once again this year, the Europ Assistance Holiday Barometer sheds light on their travel habits for this 23rd edition.

Europ Assistance Holiday Barometer 2024 Edition

73% of Swiss people are planning to go on holiday this summer, and half of them will be going just once. This is slightly less than last year (76%), but enthusiasm remains high and habits are broadly unchanged. 

About the Europ Assistance 2024 Holiday Barometer survey

For the past 23 years, the Europ Assistance Holiday Barometer has been studying people's travel habits throughout the world. This study, conducted in collaboration with Ipsos, was carried out in 21 countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Portugal, Belgium, Poland, the Czech Republic, Malaysia, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, India, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In each country, 1,000 consumers aged 18 and over completed an online questionnaire. Each sample was selected using the quota method (gender, age, profession) after stratification by region and city size.

Data was collected between 27 March and 22 April 2024 from a total of 21,000 people.

Where are the Swiss planning to travel this summer?

The Swiss are more inclined than their neighbours to go abroad for the summer, with only 18% staying at home, compared with 42% of the French, 46% of the Spanish and 42% of the Italians.

The list of favourite destinations remains the same as last year, with our beloved neighbouring countries attracting the majority of Swiss travellers: Italy (26%), France (17%) and Spain (16%). They prefer the seaside, well ahead of the cities and the countryside, while the mountains attract just 20% of travellers.

For the Swiss, as for Europeans more generally, the weather is the most important factor, even more so than in 2023 (+19pts): they are above all looking for sun and warmth in the summer. Although they like to discover new things, they often prefer places they already know and choose their destination according to the activities they like to do. 

Swiss travel budgets continue to rise

Overall, holiday budgets are on the rise again this year. In Europe, while the average will be around €2,446 (around CHF2,427), the Swiss are planning a budget well in excess of €4,073 (CHF4,041) - the highest of any country in the world. This represents an increase of 17% on last year. In the Top 3 are the Americans with €3,952 (CHF3,921) and the Australians with €3,792 (CHF3,940).

Inflation does not stop the Swiss from travelling

It is in India and the Middle East that inflation is of greatest concern to future holidaymakers, while in Europe, only 30% of those questioned feel affected and will therefore adapt their way of travelling, whether by choosing cheaper accommodation, reducing the number of destinations or limiting the food and activities budget. In Switzerland, 28% of those questioned said they were sensitive to inflation for their next holiday and would adapt their plans to make the most of the summer anyway.

Holidays longer than the European average

In 2023, the Swiss took the longest holidays, averaging 2.1 weeks. This year, the length of their planned holidays has increased to 2.3 weeks, and remains the longest of any European country (ahead of France (2.2) and Belgium (2.1)).

The Swiss still book their summer holidays a few months in advance

Compared to 2023, the Swiss are not changing their planning habits, and the majority (62%) will be booking their summer holiday more or less at the same time as last year. Only 9% say they will be booking earlier this year, mainly to take advantage of better prices and save money.

For those who plan to book their holidays later, this is mainly due to the fact that they do not yet know their holiday budget (50%) and that they also want to take advantage of last-minute prices (20%).

In Europe, there is a similar trend towards medium-term travel planning, between 2 and 6 months in advance.

The plane remains the number 1 mode of transport

More than half of Swiss travellers will be taking the plane (57%), which is more than last year (+13pts) and more than the average for Europeans (44%). Next comes the car, with the train a distant second (21%).

Why this choice? Quite simply, for 59% of them, it is the most practical means of transport for reaching their destination, and it is also, quite simply, a matter of habit. The environmental issue of transport seems to be of little concern in Europe, although it is of slightly more interest in Switzerland than in other countries (12%).

Hotels remain the preferred type of accommodation for the Swiss

For more than half of travellers, this will be a hotel, well ahead of renting a house or flat (24%), or staying with friends or family (20%). This is exactly the same trend as last year. They choose this type of accommodation mainly out of habit, and ultimately consider that it is the most affordable for them.

House swaps, road-trips in camper vans and cruises do not really appeal to the Swiss, nor to Europeans as a whole.

What about changing our habits a little?

If we ask Swiss travellers what they would be prepared to try to change their habits a little, the majority (78%) think of going to less touristy destinations, and 67% are inclined to do slow tourism while taking care of the environment. A minority are attracted by extreme sports and adventure, while a few would be prepared to visit film locations or locations they have seen in films.

Ecology and travel: where do the Swiss stand?

Whether it's their choice of destination or the mode of transport they use, the Swiss don't seem very concerned about the environmental impact of their summer holidays. However, as in 2023, they still say they are ready to adopt more sustainable travel habits when they get there, with their priorities being to reduce waste, avoid wasting local resources and support the local economy. In Europe as a whole, the same practices are being promoted.

Combining work and pleasure: the "workation" trend

In Europe, the trend towards 'workation' (working from home while on holiday) is weaker than in the rest of the world. Only 18% of travellers say they plan to do so or have already done so, while a large majority (73%) will not. In Switzerland, fewer people than last year plan to work during their summer holidays, with only 23% of respondents, compared with 34% in 2023.

Why work on holiday?

A majority of Europeans say that it gives them the feeling of having a longer holiday and allows them to get away from their daily work routine. In Switzerland, it's exactly the same thing.

Where to work on holiday?

Swiss people who plan to work during their holidays will do so either from their hotel, or from a rented flat or house, in the majority of cases abroad (41%). 

Insuring your summer holidays

More than half of Swiss people plan to take out travel insurance this summer (52%). Going on holiday with peace of mind means going well insured. Whether you're staying in Switzerland or abroad, our travel insurance policies offer you essential cover for a peaceful summer: reimbursement of cancellation costs, 24-hour assistance and repatriation, medical expenses abroad, luggage cover, etc. Discover all our options here.

Discover the Europ Assistance 2024 Holiday Barometer infographic here.