Sales of Swiss rail product have levelled off this year, as Switzerland’s high prices deter Australian travellers from visiting the destination.
While European rail bookings have grown 16%, Rail Europe manager Australasia Richard Leonard revealed those for Switzerland have flattened because of the perception it is more expensive than the rest of Europe.
“We had been worried it might go backwards because of the currency issues,” he told Travel Today at the Switzerland roadshow in Sydney. “That it has come out level is a good sign.”
Rail Europe commercial director Florence Pasquier added the growth had also slowed because high increases in sales of Swiss rail product seen in the recent years was “difficult to maintain”.
Last year saw growth of 30% fuelled by a coordinated approach with Switzerland Tourism which ramped up when the tourism body opened a local office in Sydney in 2010.
In addition, certain promotions this year had “not been appropriate” for the Australian market, although they had success elsewhere.
“That diluted our turnover a little,” Pasquier admitted.
However, it is not just Switzerland that has seen a downturn, she added. Although last year saw “crazy” growth of between 40% and 45% across the board, this year has been more subdued.
“This year’s Olympics saw less people travel to Europe,” she said.
Meanwhile, France continues to be the top destination for the Australian market, with Italy “catching up”.
The rail firm predicted Italy will grow at a higher rate because of Rail Europe’s new direct connection with Trenitalia which will be turned on in the next couple of weeks.
