Growing desire to travel among the Swiss population

Fear of terror decreases

Allianz Partners Switzerland, in collaboration with the Swiss Travel Association (SRV) and the LINK Institute in Lucerne, conducted a representative survey on the booking and travel behavior of the Swiss population for the 24th time in a row. According to the results, the Swiss population is still keen to travel. 85% of those surveyed take at least one private, three-day trip per year. Individually arranged trips are still in vogue, as is the use of sharing economy platforms.


Swiss population still keen to travel
85% of respondents, 3% more than in the previous year, take a private trip with at least three overnight stays away from home at least once a year. On average, the number of trips and vacations per respondent per year was 2.70, a slight decrease compared to 2017 (2.76). The trend towards individual travel continues. 68% (-1%) prefer this form of travel, while 25% (+2%) prefer to book package tours. The number of annual bookings at a travel agency has risen slightly among respondents. Slightly more than one in five book their trips through a travel agency. The proportion of travelers who use their regular branch for travel agency bookings remains constant.


Quality of advice remains the most important criterion when choosing a travel agency
The quality of advice (69%) continues to be the most important decision criterion. This trend goes hand in hand with customers' generally higher demands for the individualization of travel. The importance of personal relationships and the location of the travel agency has once again decreased.


Online bookings via sharing economy platforms continue to increase
When it comes to booking a trip online, bookings via online travel agencies or booking portals (69%, +3% compared to 2017) and sharing economy platforms (16%, +4%) are becoming increasingly popular. This shows that the Swiss population is increasingly deciding which online channel (direct, portals, travel agency, sharing economy platform) to use depending on the type of trip. Travel agency websites are also increasingly preferred (+2%). Online bookings continue to be made most frequently via a PC or laptop, although there has been a slight decline compared to 2017 (92%, -3%). In contrast, bookings via mobile websites (6%; +2% compared to the previous year) and apps (4%; +2% compared to the previous year) are increasing slightly.


When it comes to travel insurance, the benefits count
When choosing travel insurance, benefits are the most important factor for respondents (56%), followed by price (39%), simplicity (34%) and personal experience (28%). The criterion of personal experience has increased by eight percentage points compared to 2017. Cancellation costs (41%) and assistance services (32%) remain the most important components of travel insurance for the Swiss population. All other components remain well below the 10% mark.


Fear of unrest and terror is decreasing - delays remain the biggest problem
49% of respondents see the risk of an accident as the greatest risk (+4%), while most travelers (42%) cite delays as a specific problem. The fear of unrest/terror has decreased. The majority of other perceived risks (illness/death, natural disasters, theft, travel problems, problems with accommodation, loss of luggage, problems with tour operators, delays) recorded a slight increase.
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