2 - Tourism in Zermatt

Question 1

What makes Zermatt and “extreme environment?”

Answer 1

1. high altitude of 3,883m
2. Harsh Alpine conditions, thin air, and a fragile tundra ecosystem.
3. Annual visitors ~2 million; seasonal population spikes from 6,000 to 40,000.

Question 2

How many vistors does Zermatt have annually?

Answer 2

2 million

Question 3

How high can the population be on a peak day? (eg. Dec. 26)

Answer 3

up to 40,000

Question 4

What is the consequence of high tourist demand?

Answer 4

intense strain on water and energy resources, especially with 40+ luxury hotels and spas.

Question 5

What is the town doing in response to high water demands?

Answer 5

Building a wastewater facility for 65,000 people

Question 6

What are some efforts made for sustainability?

Answer 6

• No private cars allowed in Zermatt; only electric carts and horse-drawn vehicles
• Solar-powered restaurant at Klein Matterhorn (3,883m altitude) reduces the need for power lines and has won the European Solar Prize.
• Zermatt’s youth hostel was the first in Switzerland built to minimum energy standards with solar panels.

Question 7

What sustainability problems remain?

Answer 7

• continued rapid construction of 13 new chalets/year
• poor energy effiency in most buildings
• buildings mostly use oil heating
• poor insulations in most buildings

Question 8

What was Zermatt labeled by environmentalists?

Answer 8

“window dressing”

Question 9

What opportunities are there for tourism in Zermatt?

Answer 9

• Spectacular scenery
• Economic development
• Green investment
• Car-free model

Question 10

What stakeholders are involved?

Answer 10

1. Global tourists
2. Local residents
3. Developers
4. Environmentalists
5. Local tour operators
6. Hospitality industry
7. Swiss economy
8. Local hotel owners
9. Local government

Question 11

What are the challenges for tourism?

Answer 11

1. Over-tourism
2. Environmental degradation
3. Cultural tension
4. Infrastructure strain