hidden europe 66

Visitor mobility

by hidden europe

Picture above: The Entlebuch area in Switzerland’s canton of Lucerne has developed sustainable tourism with an emphasis on locally owned services, underpinned by a good public transport network (photo © Nuvisage / dreamstime.com).

Summary

How far should the local travel requirements for tourists be met by a region’s regular transport infrastructure? Or does it make sense to lay on special services for seasonal visitors? We look at examples from Switzerland and Britain.

Making it easy for tourists to get around by public transport within their chosen holiday region is often key in lowering the carbon footprint of the entire holiday. Travellers are more likely to travel by train to their chosen holiday region if they can be assured that they won’t need a car once they reach their destination. Many Swiss regions understand this perfectly. Visitors to most accommodation types in Switzerland’s Jura canton receive a Jura-Pass which affords free transport throughout the region.

A similar scheme operates in Appenzell, where the free transport offer extends to places well beyond the cantonal boundaries. It helps of course that these areas, as indeed all of Switzerland, benefit from a superb public transport infrastructure.

Related article

Making Tracks for Sweden

As winter slipped slowly into spring in 1917, Lenin passed through Berlin on his journey back to Russia from Switzerland. His onward route from Berlin took him by train to Sassnitz, then on by ferry to Trelleborg in Sweden. These days it's still possible to follow the route taken by Lenin, using the occasional direct trains from Berlin to Sweden.

Related article

Editorial hidden europe 52

Welcome to hidden europe 52. Much travel writing fuels a shallow approach to travel. Fear of missing out (FEMO) makes travellers roam the globe in haste. There is, we think, a better way of engaging with places and cultures. We prefer to take things mor