Dubai 20 July 2014

With 42.86% increase in overnights generated by GCC travelers in 2013, the luxurious

Swiss Alpine resort Crans-Montana launched exclusive summer and Eid Al Fitr

holiday offers with free nights stays to attract more visitors from the region this year.

Switzerland and its prominent resort destinations continue to witness a steadily increasing

influx of GCC travelers. As revealed by Switzerland Tourism earlier this year, the total of

205,736 tourists from Gulf countries with 593,374 overnights have visited Switzerland during

Jan-Nov 2013, which resulted in 22,7% increase versus 2012. Their average daily spend

was approximately CHF 500 (USD 550) ranking the GCC tourists as first in terms of daily

tourist expenditure world-wide.

Located in the heart of Swiss Alps, the luxurious resort of Crans-Montana enjoyed the same

trend with a remarkable increase of 42.86% in overnights produced by travelers from the

Gulf, with Saudi Arabia being the leading feeder market followed by UAE, Kuwait and Qatar.

In order to support this growth and entice more Middle Eastern tourists, especially families,

to visit Crans-Montana this summer, the resort has launched an exclusive “Pay Less, Stay

More” promotion.

Specially designed for GCC and Middle East travellers by Crans-Montana Tourism

board and promoted by their Middle East regional representatives, Insights Middle East,

UAE, the deal targets the Middle East travellers – both nationals and residents offering

complimentary bonus nights with minimum length of stay starting from 3 nights. There are

16 hotels from Crans-Montana region participating in the promotion.
Starting from USD 200 per night, the accommodation options include luxury, first class,

comfort hotels and lodges, which makes the promotion appealing to the various types of

travellers with the main focus being on families. The “Pay Less, Stay More” offers will be

valid until September 30, 2014.

Philippe Rubod, CEO of Crans-Montana Tourist Board said: “Middle East is a very

important market for us, and we are looking into increasing the numbers of visitors from this

part of the world on a yearly basis, as well as building repeat business. Summer in Crans-
Montana is the most favourite season with Middle Eastern guests, when they can enjoy

wonderful weather and country side. We understand the needs of Arab travellers, families

in particular, in terms of cuisine, accommodation and activities, and our hotels are very well

aligned to them”.

Commenting on this joint activity, the Managing Director of Insights Middle East, Ms.

Mona Faraj said: “With consistent increase in numbers of GCC travellers to Switzerland

and its Crans-Montana region, which have been enjoying a double digit growth in number of

visitors yearly since 2010, we are delighted to offer our regional travellers an opportunity to

experience Crans-Montana, one of the most premium destinations in Switzerland. The 2013

summer promotion was a great success and was very well received in the market. This year,

the number of participating hotels increased to 16, and we are looking forward to even better

results.”

The special packages can be booked directly with participating hotels, Crans-Montana

Tourism board, ME & GCC Sales & Marketing office or the travellers preferred travel agents.

About Crans-Montana

Facing 200 km wide panorama over the Alps, renowned since 1893 for its purest air

and ideal climate, Crans-Montana is a premium alpine destination. A peaceful, safe and

cosmopolitan, Crans-Montana offers a host of top class accommodations, a wide choice of

restaurants and top events all year-round.

Choose from the finest hotels, stroll in rich pastures with a thousand wild flowers, enjoy the

cool shade of the forest, and stay in Crans-Montana, the perfect family destination since

1893. Space to play and relax, the ideal climate, there is nowhere else quiet like it.
There are around 29 hotels in Crans-Montana, with 60% of them being in luxury and first

class segment. 120 Restaurants and bars in Crans-Montana form a permanent invite to a

culinary world tour. From Michelin starred chef to the very traditional specialities, Crans-
Montana is the perfect destination to suit every palate, with an unrivalled array of cuisines

from all around the world.

Additionally, the resort has become a mythical destination for being a Swiss “Golf Hub” with

its Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club.

Crans-Montana is also described as the “Shopping Paradise of the Swiss Alps”, with

more than 190 shops and boutiques, including world top luxury brands as well the best

Switzerland and this region can offer: Swiss watches, sports equipment and chocolate.