Paralympic sector, slight progression in the second trimester (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• 3.9 million hotel room nights in Q2 2026
• Slight growth of 0.4% compared to the same period in 2025
• Holiday homes fall by 8.9% to 1.0 million
• The first half closes at -3.1%: 8.2 million total nights

Key facts

• What : Overnight stays in the Swiss Paralympic hotel sector
• When: Second quarter 2026
• Where: Switzerland (national data, no regional details)
• Who: Federal Statistical Office (FSO)
• Amount: 3.9 million overnight stays, +0.4% year-on-year
• Holiday homes: 1.0 million, -8.9%
• Collective housing: 1.3 million, +3.2%
• Campsites: 1.6 million, +4.7%
• Indigenous demand: 68% of the total
• First half of 2026: 8.2 million nights, -3.1% per year

The Swiss hospitality sector recorded 3.9 million overnight stays in the second quarter of thisyear, a slight increase of 0.4% compared to the same period in 2025. This is reported today by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), in a framework that confirms domestic demand as the main driver of statistics.

The three sectors in detail

Holiday homes contributed 1.0 million overnight stays, down 8.9% compared to the second quarter of 2025. Collective accommodation — a category that includes youth hostels and group accommodation — totaled 1.3 million nights, an increase of 3.2%. Campsites stood at 1.6 million, recording growth

Operational details

Analysis: what the progression means for the Swiss economy

The figure of +0.4% on an annual basis should be read in perspective. The second quarter represents only part of the picture: the first half of the year as a whole closed at -3.1%, with 8.2 million overnight stays compared to about 8.46 million in the same period of 2025. The six-monthly decline is driven by the holiday home sector, which alone loses 360,000 nights compared to the previous year (-8.9%).

Countertrend Funds

Campsites and collective accommodation represent the most dynamic segments. Campsites registered +4.7% in the quarter and +4.4% in the semester, a sign of demand oriented towards low-cost outdoor solutions — consistent with the pressure on the cost of living that continues to characterise 2026. Collective accommodation (hostels, groups) grew by 3.2% quarterly and 1.0% semi-annually, confirming the recovery of school tourism and organized groups after the difficulties of previous years.

68% indigenous demand

The 68% share of Swiss guests is the most structurally relevant figure: it means that more than two out of three nights depend on domestic demand. For those operating in the sector — apartment owners, campground managers, hostels — this implies a direct correlation with the propensity to consume of resident families, influenced by the increase in sickness insurance premiums (LAMal), residual inflation and wage trends

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Key points

What to do: how to read the FSO data and take action

The para-hotel statistics are part of the FSO's thematic surveys, published on a quarterly basis alongside data on employment, prices and tourism. Here's how to find your way around practically.

Step 1 — Consult the primary source

The figure released today (Keystone-ATS) refers back to the FSO's para-hôtellerie tables. To download the historical series and subsequent cantonal comparisons, you need to wait for the HESTA publication, which breaks down arrivals and overnight stays by canton and country of origin.

Step 2 — Place the data in your economic context

The +0.4% quarterly figure and the -3.1% half-year figure are not in themselves a sign of crisis, but should be read alongside:

Step 3 — For those working in the sector

Operators of campsites, hostels and holiday apartments can cross-reference the data with their own accounts to assess their position relative to the national average. The growth in campsites (+4.7%) and collective accommodation (+3.2%) suggests expanding demand for these formulas, while the decline in holiday homes (-8.9%) requires a rethink of pricing, distribution channels and target audience.

Step 4 — Plan the season

For those planning the next season, the three figures to monitor are: domestic demand trends (currently 68% of the total), available accommodation capacity (provided by the FSO in the HESTA statistics) and the cantonal school calendar, which directly influences flows towards hostels and campsites.

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