Episode 86: How to travel responsibly in Switzerland
In recent years, we’ve started to hear terms like sustainable travel and responsible travel more and more often.
This is in part due to climate change and the effects our actions are having on the environment but to me, being a responsible or sustainable traveller is more than just about protecting the environment, although that is extremely important of course.
After a record year in terms of tourist numbers in Switzerland this year, I wanted to find out what the Swiss are doing to encourage sustainable tourism and how we can travel responsibly when we visit Switzerland in the future.
Our guest, Simon Bosshart, is hear to tell us about the many ways we can travel more responsibly.
[This post may contain compensated links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.]
As always, I’d like to say thank you to the team from Switzerland Tourism for sponsoring the podcast. You’ll find lots of helpful info for planning your visit to Switzerland on their website, myswitzerland.com so do go and take a look.
Of course travelling by public transport is the most sustainable way to travel and if you need the train ride of a lifetime, you need Switzerland.
Click the green button below to listen:
Show Notes
In this episode you’ll learn:
- What is responsible / sustainable travel
- What Switzerland Tourism is doing to encourage sustainable travel
- Simple actions to take to be a more responsible traveller
- What is being done to manage over-tourism in Switzerland
- How destinations can manage vacation rentals so locals aren’t priced out of the rental market
- The consequences of not embracing a more sustainable approach to travel
Our Guest
Simon Bosshart is Manager Markets East and Member of the Management Board of Switzerland Tourism. He has worked for Switzerland Tourism for more than 17 years, including heading up the China Operations team. Simon is as motivated about promoting Switzerland today as he was on his very first day all those years ago.
Ideas for travelling more sustainably
Transport
- Travel by public transport or rent an electric vehicle
Lodging
- Stay longer in each destination
- Choose accommodation with a Swisstainable emblem
Environment
- Respect the environment – stick to marked trails, don’t pick the wildflowers, take your rubbish home
- Reduce, reuse, recycle
- Take a reusable water bottle and fill it with free water from the hundreds of water fountains in Switzerland
General
- Visit out of high season
- Eat at local and responsible restaurants
- Buy from local producers and farm shops
- Be respectful – you are visiting someone’s home town
© Travel Switzerland
Useful resources
The Switzerland Tourism website has an entire section dedicated to sustainable – or as they like to call it, Swisstainable – travel. Amongst the helpful information is a list of sustainable experiences, and a packing list for sustainable travel.
Simon was also the guest on episode 79 of the Holidays to Switzerland Travel Podcast where he spoke about the many reasons to visit Switzerland during autumn/fall. You can listen to episode 79 here.
We also heard from Andy Nef about Switzerland’s dedication to offering a sustainable public transport network in episode 38 of the podcast.
To see all our podcast episodes, > click here.
This episode is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism
Share the Swiss travel love
Never miss an episode! Make sure you follow the Holidays to Switzerland Travel Podcast to get notified each time a new episode is published.
If you enjoy the Holidays to Switzerland Travel Podcast and find it helpful, please leave us a 5 star rating or review. This will enable us to reach and help more travellers who are planning their own trip to Switzerland. Thanks for your support.
Planning a trip to Switzerland?
At Holidays to Switzerland we are passionate about sharing our love of Switzerland and helping you to plan the perfect trip. Read our guide to planning a trip to Switzerland to kick start your travel plans and join our free Switzerland Travel Planning group on Facebook to chat with other past and future travellers.
Want monthly news and podcast updates, helpful travel tips and special deals sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to Holidays to Switzerland and we’ll send you a bonus copy of our 21 Useful Things to Know Before You Visit Switzerland guide.
🇨🇭 Check out our exclusive discount offers and save on your Swiss vacation. 🇨🇭
