Chinese again in Jungfraujoch

“On Valentine’s Day, the first 25 people from mainland China were in Jungfraujoch,” said Urs Kessler, CEO of Jungfrau Railways, in an interview with “Tamedia newspapers” (Monday edition). Feedback from the Middle Kingdom also gave him confidence. From the end of March, the first individual travelers and other groups should return.

From April onwards, there will be three direct flights per week from Shanghai to Zurich with Swiss. “I expect a considerable number of guests from China from May to summer,” says Kessler.

Basically, you can see a steady return of Asian guests from the second half of 2022. But there may be more to Kessler. The problem is not just the lack of flight capacity. For example, embassies in Asia could not issue the necessary visas. And finally, inflation drives up costs: “Airfare prices from Asia to Switzerland have actually doubled.”

Corona is hardly a problem anymore at Jungfrau Railways. Asked if the pandemic was over, Kessler said, “Yes, it is.” Jungfrau Railways is back to normal in “big strides”. 2023 will likely be a “good transition year”, from 2024 the Jungfrau Railways should again be at “fully pre-crisis level”.

With regard to the lack of snow, Kessler said it would be vital for affected ski resorts to reduce their reliance on winter sports. This is already the case with the Jungfrau Railways. 80 percent of the turnover is obtained in the spring, summer and autumn seasons, and 20 percent in the winter season.

“We’re also working towards a busy season with new proposals lasting twelve months,” Kessler said. Thus, you can increase your annual income from summer traffic from 3.7 million to 14 million francs.

(SDA)

Source :Blick