New Hotels, Attractions To Open In Switzerland

27 Apr 2013

Several representatives of Switzerland's tourism scene recently came by Travel Agent's New York offices to share the latest updates and trends from the country, including new hotels, promotions and attractions visitors will want to explore.

The popular Swiss Pass now covers 460 museums throughout Switzerland in addition to numerous tourist (and commuter) trains, buses and boats. From June 1 to July 15, the eight-day first-class Swiss Pass also includes a package voucher that guarantees one-day luggage delivery--a nice perk when making connections and exploring the sights along the way. Wi-Fi devices are also included with the pass, making it easy for travelers to stay connected without incurring international roaming fees. And for coffee fanatics, Starbucks-branded cafes have been launched on some trains. Agents can purchase Swiss Passes from Rail Europe.

In the Matterhorn region, the first-ever dedicated W ski resort, the W Verbier, will open at the end of this year. The opening will also mark the debut of the W brand in Switzerland. W Verbier will have 123 rooms in four adjacent chalets on the Place Blanche, and will be located next to the main gondola offering immediate access to the resort’s ski slopes for a ski-in and ski-out experience.

Next year, Lausanne will get the Royal Savoy hotel (below), which is expected to have 200 rooms and suites, a terrace restaurant, a lobby lounge and a cigar lounge as well as an extensive spa area. The year after that, a new museum dedicated to the films and life of Charlie Chaplin will open in the actor's former Lausanne home.

In June of this year, Schilthorn visitors can celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first James Bond movie in a new way. “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” had scenes filmed on the mountain, and a new visitor attraction, Bond World 007, will open this summer. This indoor attraction at the Touristorama takes fans through the story of the movie, incorporating interactive features to test Bond-like skills. The in-house cinema shows clips of the movie and the panorama video show reveals insights and views of the mountain. Outside (at 10,000 feet up), visitors can look out over more than 200 mountain peeks.

Burgdorf, meanwhile, recently launched an Emmental cheese e-biking route (and, of course, an app to guide the biker/cheese fan). Visitors can choose a one-day or two-day tour and rent bikes either in Burgdorf or Langnau. There are 21 stops along the way—and plenty of charging stations for the bikes (and the bikers).

Source: http://www.travelagentcentral.com/switzerland/new-hotels-attractions-open-switzerland-40345