(MENAFN- Swissinfo) Climate change is hitting Swiss tourism hard – and skiing in particular is feeling the heat. A tourism expert weighs in on the challenges facing the industry and whether climate-neutral tourism is more than just a pipe dream. This content was published on July 16, 2025 - 09:00 8 minutes

After studying German and Scandinavian studies in Zurich and Oslo, I graduated from the MAZ School of Journalism and worked as a journalist for different Swiss dailies and as a freelance writer covering a wide range of topics. I have been with SWI swissinfo since 2023. After studying German and Scandinavian studies in Zurich and Oslo, I graduated from the MAZ School of Journalism and worked as a journalist for different Swiss dailies and as a freelance writer covering a wide range of topics. I have been with SWI swissinfo since 2023.

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Climate change is transforming Switzerland – and the effect is being felt particularly in tourist regions.

“Rising temperatures are devastating for ski tourism,” says Monika Bandi, head of the research centre on tourism at the University of Bern.“There is also more frequent heavy rainfall in summer, less precipitation in winter, and thawing permafrost, which can make slopes unstable.”

One-third of the mountain huts operated by the Swiss Alpine Club are in dangerExternal link because they are in an area where the permafrost is thawing. Hiking trails are also under threat.“Natural hazards are increasingly expected in areas and during seasons that have so far been safe,” writes the Swiss Hiking Trail AssociationExternal link . Thawing permafrost, as well as heavy precipitation and wet snow avalanches at lower altitudes, will likely trigger more rockfalls.

>>On May 28 a glacier in southern Switzerland collapsed, burying the mountain village of Blatten.

More More Why do Swiss mountains collapse? It's complicated

This content was published on May 23, 2025 Small landslides are on the increase in the Swiss Alps owing to climate change. But the link with global warming is less obvious for large natural disasters.

Read more: Why do Swiss mountains collapse? It's complicate

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