TCS Travel Barometer: Fear of Terror Influences Travel Behavior

The main results of the study conducted by gfs.bern can be summarized as follows TCS-The data can be summarized as follows:

1. fear of terror determines the destination
2. Switzerland as a tourist destination is more attractive again
3. Europe is close to the Swiss
4. rösti divide also in travel behavior
5. the three Swiss travel types: Explorers, Preservers and Non-Travelers

Fear of terror determines the destination

According to the study, the fear of terrorism and the lack of security shape the travel behavior of the Swiss most strongly. 60% of respondents would state that the threat of terrorism was a very important criterion when considering travel, followed by considerations of the hospitality of residents (46%).

Security and the supply situation on site were also very (45%) or somewhat (45%) important for the majority of respondents. Other risk factors, such as problems with diseases and pathogens (42%) or fear of natural forces (27%), were also important for a majority, but ranked lower in priority than positive drivers such as character and hospitality of the local population (46%).

In response to the question "In the past twelve months, has travel abroad become much safer, somewhat safer, somewhat less safe, or much less safe?" 12% answered "much less safe" and 47% answered "somewhat less safe." In contrast, 5% said travel abroad had become "much safer" and 30% "rather safer."

Switzerland attractive, cactus for Turkey

When assessing the attractiveness of 14 typical travel destinations on a scale of 0 (very poor) to 10 (top), it was found that three Swiss destinations - Ticino (7.2), Grisons (6.9) and Valais (6.7) - were among the four best rated. A similarly good evaluation reached only Italy (7,0). The worst rated destinations were Turkey (3.1), the Arab Emirates (3.4) and Egypt (3.6).

Coveted neighboring countries

The evaluation of the study concludes that cultural proximity is important to the Swiss. This is why the neighboring countries of Germany, Austria and France, as well as Spain and Portugal, are the second most attractive travel destinations. No country outside Europe achieves this status. It is interesting to note that the nearby and well-known destinations in and around Switzerland are hardly less attractive to the youngest than to the over 66s. In addition, Egypt, the Arab Emirates and Turkey were also rated as visibly less attractive by the more "adventurous" young people than all other destinations.

Röstigraben also in travel behavior

The German-speaking Swiss travel differently than the French-speaking and Ticino-speaking Swiss. Vacations abroad and at the seaside are considered more attractive in Latin Switzerland than in German-speaking Switzerland, according to TCS. In addition, the Ticinese like to travel to exotic countries more than the average, while the German-speaking Swiss prefer to travel in Switzerland and Europe. The study also shows that French-speaking Swiss are generally more eager to travel and explore than German-speaking Swiss.

The three Swiss travel types

According to TCS, the Swiss can be divided into three types in terms of travel behavior:

• The largest group is made up of the preservationists (42%). They enjoy vacationing in Switzerland or return time and again to vacation spots they are familiar with.
• The middle group are the explorers (36%). They love everything adventurous and find nothing as attractive as a trip to Australia or New Zealand.
• The smallest group is made up of the non-travelers (22%). Their motto is: the closer the better.

The study was conducted by the research institute gfs.bern on behalf of TCS. The summary can be found at www.tcs.ch/reisebarometer can be downloaded.