JEDDAH, 7 May — Saudi nationals possessing a multiple Schengen visa no longer need a separate visa to visit Switzerland, according to Swiss Consul Jakob Fehr. "It’s important that the visa should mention the word ‘Schengen’ to allow the holder to go to Switzerland without the need for a Swiss visa," Fehr, who is currently the acting consul general, told Arab News during a presentation given by a nine-member delegation representing the travel and tour and hospitality sectors of the Lake Geneva and Matterhorn region, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Saturday night. Hosting the event was Manuel Staerkle, area manager of Swiss Air lines for the Western Province. Sherif S. Ahmed of the Swiss consulate and the airline staff were present among a large number of local representatives from the travel trade. Fifteen countries that belong to the Schengen agreement are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.
Most other visitors to Switzerland do require a visa prior to entering the country. Nationals of Iraq and Somalia require a visa to transit Zurich or Geneva even if they are not leaving the airport transit area. Nationals of the countries including Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Iran, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Turkey, who hold a valid passport and visa to the United States, Canada, Norway or the European Union, do need a ‘transit visa’ for transiting through Switzerland.
Beat Dreier, deputy managing director, director marketing and sales, Geneva Tourism, told reporters later that Geneva had 216,000 visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council states last year —150,000 of them specially toured the Lake Geneva and Matterhorn region. Asked for the impact of Sept. 11 on Switzerland’s tourism, Dreier said there was only a two percent drop since then in the number of visitors to the country. "The country gets 33 million tourists a year, however, a positive trend was that there was a 28 percent increase in the number of visitors from the GCC last year," he added.
Dreier’s presentation described Geneva as a city with over 200 international organizations including the European headquarters of the UN, and at the same time a small, friendly city with only 180,000 inhabitants set in some of the most enchanting countrysides in Europe. It offers a host of luxurious stores, haute cuisine restaurants, a beautiful lakeside promenade, and scenic and cultural attractions. "Palmlined shores, gently wooded hills, lush green pastures and snowcapped summits are among the scenic splendors that make up the Lake Geneva region," he said.
The region includes Lausanne, the Olympic capital located close to Geneva and Montreux-Vevey. It is the home of the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Museum. Montreux-Vevey is located between palm trees and Glacier and is an ideal resort for business and leisure on the shores of Lake Geneva and the best possible hub from where to explore western Switzerland. The Matterhorn region is the "Holiday kingdom" located in southwestern Switzerland and home of the majestic Matterhorn and the surrounding luxury resorts like Crans-Montana, Leukerbad, Saas-Fee, Verbier and Zermatt. A fascinating land of contrasts, centered on the Alps, this region enjoys an exceptionally mild climate and above-average exposure to the sun.
Dreier said a $399 package covering a 7-day/6-night tour of the Lake Geneva and Matterhorn region currently available would continue up to Dec. 31. Also offered are optional excursions like guided tours of individual cities and Arabic speaking assistance. "The region is also dotted with excellent educational and health facilities," he added.
The delegation included Michel Perret, general director, Hotel Movenpick; Nadim El-Murr, vice president marketing and sales, Manotel; Harry John, president Montreux-Vevey/Lausanne Tourism; Bernard Brack, general manager Hotel Royal Plaza; Jean-Yves Blatt, director of sales and marketing, Lausanne Palace & Spa; Urs Zenhausern, general manager Valais Tourism; Walter Loser, managing director, Crans-Montana tourism; and Daniel Luggen, marketing manager, Zermatt Tourism.
Swiss Air Lines also circulated economy class roundtrip special fares from Jeddah to various destinations worldwide.
Switzerland’s new national carrier is focusing on building strong brand awareness at the four-day Arabian Travel Market 2002 that opens in Dubai today. The newly designed Swiss stand will incorporate the airline’s recently launched logo and branding, as well as concepts associated with "Swiss values."
