Switzerland's tourism balance of payments in 2020 International tourism strongly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis in 2020

28.06.2021 - The tourism sector was badly hit by the COVID-19 crisis in 2020. The number of persons who travelled greatly reduced. The development of revenue and expenditure in the tourism balance of payments reflects this and highlights the extent of the shock suffered. Revenue from the tourism balance of payments fell by 47.8% reaching the same level seen at the start of the 1990s (CHF 9.4 billion). At the same time, persons residing in Switzerland saw the amount they spent on trips abroad decrease by almost half. In the final analysis, the tourism balance of payments was slightly negative at CHF –290 million, according to initial estimates from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

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