Target countries
Switzerland
- Surface (kmq): 41,285
- Inhabitants (mln 2018): 8.5
- Capital city: Berna
- Language: German, French, Italian
- Currency: Swiss Franc, CHF
- Time zone: + 0 h
- PIL (bln $, 2018): 705.5
- PIL growth (2018): +2.5%
Market information
Switzerland recorded the record number of 38.8 million overnight stays in lodging in 2018, according to figures from the Federal Statistics Office (BFS), which was up 4% on the previous year.
Domestic travelers accounted for 17.4 million overnight stays (+3% on the previous year), while foreign travelers accounted for 21.4 million ones (+5% on the previous year).
Lodging will increasingly adopt new technologies. For example, the smartphone is already doubling up as a digital remote control in some high-tech hotels. With the high penetration of smartphones in Switzerland, hotel online check-in and mobile keys will be popular in the future.
Guests can check-in online before leaving home or while on the road with a mobile app and then unlock the door of their room via a smartphone upon arrival. The mobile key system has already been installed by a few Swiss hotels.
Smart rooms with high-tech facilities beyond an in-room iPad and Wi-Fi access will be the next big thing, with a number of major hotel companies already testing these out. For example, an overnight stay could be customized or personalized with guests adjusting room lighting, temperature and the television simply and easily from their smartphone.
Despite the growing number of hotel rooms, the occupancy rate continued to rise in Switzerland, especially in cities, as demand grew considerably.
Czech Republic
- Surface (kmq): 78,866
- Inhabitants (mln 2018): 10.6
- Capital city: Prague
- Language: Czech
- Currency: Czech Koruna, CZK
- Time zone: + 0 h
- PIL (bln $, 2018): 245.2
- PIL growth (2018): +3%
Market information
In 2019, hotels continues to see positive growth in terms of value sales, outlets and number of room nights in the Czech Republic.
The higher numbers of inbound and domestic tourists underpin an increase in occupancy rates in lodging and hotels in Prague and other tourist destinations.
The occupancy rate is particularly high in Prague. Meanwhile, hostels, campsites and other smaller formats typically offer very basic facilities compared with hotels. Nonetheless, the overall number of other lodging outlets and revenues are expected to continue to rise over the forecast period, although some may be transformed into hotels or holiday apartments.
The increasing numbers of inbound and domestic tourists put pressure on room availability in hotels. In many cases, room numbers do not keep pace with the demand from potential guests.
This situation, along with a positive economic climate, has seen international investment groups look for opportunities to purchase existing outlets or develop new ones.
In the first quarter of 2019, the rapidly growing demand for commercial properties saw almost double the investment in hotels, compared with the whole of 2018.
While the number of new openings is not high, a significant level of premiumisation in hotels, particularly in Prague. Thus, developments tend to be rebrands or upgrades to luxury and upscale hotels featuring premium services.
