TORONTO — Visitor numbers from Canada and the U.S. to Switzerland grew by over 60%, according to the latest stats released by Switzerland Tourism.

The figures show an increase in Canadian arrivals in Switzerland in 2019, for a total of 131,504, up 4.2%. Overnight stays totalled 275,205, an increase of 1.6% year over year.

“We are delighted to announce a continued growth and are staying fully committed to the Canadian market,” said Pascal Prinz, Director Canada of Switzerland Tourism.

Prinz added: “On March 24 and 25, together with 20 Swiss partners, we will proudly showcase Switzerland’s best experiences to our trade partners in Montreal and Toronto. Simultaneously, we will be launching our new ‘I need Switzerland’ campaign in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.”

He says Lucerne and Central Switzerland experienced the largest growth of Canadians, up 19%.

Switzerland Tourism’s campaign theme in 2020 is ‘I need Switzerland’, which focuses on the Swiss boutique cities, stunning landscapes, mountain peaks, and the public transportation system. Two-thirds of all visitors from Canada visit Switzerland during the summer months.