Bern Holiday Fair – Travel and tourism at a glance

The Bern Holiday Fair is a public event focusing on travel and tourism and is aimed at a broad audience with specific holiday plans as well as those looking for inspiration. In the Swiss capital, destinations, tour operators, tourism organisations and providers of specialised forms of travel meet potential guests. The format combines advice, information and direct booking options under one roof. Bern offers a central location within Switzerland and a well-developed trade fair infrastructure. These conditions make it easy to travel to from different regions of the country. At the same time, the city itself is a tourist destination with a historic old town and international appeal. The holiday fair takes advantage of this environment to bring together global travel trends and regional offers.

Focus on destinations and types of travel

Travel is no longer a uniform product. The holiday fair reflects this diversity and presents destinations from Europe, overseas and the Alpine region. National tourism organisations stand alongside specialised tour operators who focus on specific types of travel. Frequently represented topics include:

• City breaks and cultural offerings
• Beach and seaside holidays
• Active holidays such as hiking or cycling trips
• Cruises and river trips
• Individual and long-distance travel

The event highlights how diverse the travel market has become. In addition to classic package deals, tailor-made programmes are gaining in importance. Consultations at the stand are replacing anonymous online bookings and enabling individual adjustments.

Tourism between sustainability and experience

Tourism is facing structural challenges. Climate change, rising mobility costs and changing travel habits are influencing the industry. At the holiday fair, sustainable concepts are therefore increasingly being discussed. Providers present CO₂-compensated trips, regional offers or resource-saving accommodation. Sustainability does not mean sacrifice, but rather conscious travel planning. Rail travel, gentle mountain tourism and regional value chains are key concepts. At the same time, the need for adventure and relaxation remains. The holiday fair shows how these aspects can be combined. Digitalisation also plays a role. Booking platforms, virtual tours and digital travel companions complement traditional sales channels. Nevertheless, personal advice remains a decisive factor, especially for more complex long-distance travel.

Advice and direct booking

An essential feature of the holiday fair is the direct contact between providers and customers. Many visitors come with concrete travel plans. They compare offers, clarify questions about entry requirements or find out about insurance options. Typical areas of advice include:

• Travel insurance and safety
• Entry and visa requirements
• Health and vaccination advice
• Individual route planning

Personal interaction builds trust. This factor plays a particularly important role when it comes to higher-priced trips or long-haul destinations. Travel agencies and tour operators use the fair to build long-term customer relationships.

Regional offers and local recreation

In addition to international destinations, regional providers are also represented. Swiss mountain regions, lake landscapes and cities present themselves as attractive destinations for short trips and local recreation. Domestic tourism has gained in importance, especially since global crises. Bern itself benefits from this development. As a starting point for trips to the Alps or the Bernese Oberland, the city is a hub within the national tourism network. The holiday fair reflects this geographical role.

Economic importance of tourism

Tourism is an important economic factor for Switzerland. Hotels, restaurants, transport companies and leisure providers are closely interlinked. The holiday fair serves as a marketplace where these players can present themselves and initiate new collaborations. Compared to purely trade events, the format is deliberately aimed at end consumers. Nevertheless, industry representatives play an important role. Networking events Open networking, lectures and discussion panels complement the exhibition and address market developments. Travel remains an emotionally charged product that thrives on personal impressions. The holiday fair in Bern creates a space where tourism becomes tangible. Destinations, tour operators and travellers come into direct contact with each other. This provides an overview of trends, offers and developments in the field of travel and tourism, highlighting both individual wishes and structural cultural changes in the industry.

Further information can be found on the organiser's website: www.ferienmesse.ch