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Jobs fear: Swiss not taking ski holidays this winter

Press Release: Hapimag
November 28, 2003
BAAR, Switzerland -- No holiday cash and a fear of job losses are apparently dimming the prospect of a winter holiday in the snow for the Swiss. The twice-yearly survey on holiday inclinations carried out by Hapimag, Europe's leading supplier of holiday residence rights, in conjunction with the University of Berne, provides little cheer for Swiss winter tourism.

After an earlier survey in April on travel intentions for summer 2003, in October the Research Institute for Leisure and Tourism at the University of Berne again asked 1,023 people from German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland about their holiday plans for the coming winter. As part of this representative investigation, an alarming 62% of those Swiss people interviewed stated that they had no intention of booking a holiday in the next few months. Whereas tour operators and ice-cream and beer vendors welcomed the record receipts during the hot summer of 2003, it now looks as if Swiss winter sports resorts are going to be the victims of empty holiday funds. Holidays in Switzerland are only within the reach of snow enthusiasts with a monthly income of over 6,000 CHF. Tourists who have to get by on a small budget prefer holiday regions elsewhere in Europe (45%).

Hapimag's "Holiday Mood Index" (FSI) provides information on booking trends for summer and winter holidays. The UNIVOX publications and bi-annual surveys give the percentages of people with booked or at least firmly planned holidays. Compared to the survey for the summer half-year period in 2003, a much smaller number of those interviewed have already planned or booked a holiday. Whereas the FSI (for already booked or definitely planned holidays) for the months of May to October revealed a figure of 67%, for the period from October 2003 to April 2004 this figure was down to a worrying 38%.

Hapimag is a leading international provider of holiday rights of residence. The Swiss company was founded in Baar in the canton of Zug in 1963 as a Swiss joint-stock company. Currently, well over 135,000 Hapimag members enjoy the right to enjoy their own holiday world. By purchasing Hapimag shares and Holiday World Visas, joint financial owners receive the right to enjoy holiday resorts rent free in accordance with a points system. The only additional costs are those related to travel, local charges and an annual subscription charge to cover the yearly running costs. Members are free to choose their preferred holiday resort and dates. Subscribers to Hapimag Residenz have the right to use a holiday resort every year for 10 years. At the start of this period, duration, a seasonal slot and desired category/size of apartment are agreed. Currently, members may choose from 5,500 apartments and hotel rooms in 60 resorts all located in the most beautiful areas and spread over 18 countries in Europe and overseas. Hapimag only invests in first-class locations, thereby keeping its long-term vision in mind. The company employs over 1,400 personnel worldwide.
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Information for media:
Doris Zetzema, Corporate Communications
Hapimag/Havag AG, Neuhofstrasse 8/12, CH-6349 Baar
Telephone: ++41 41 / 767 87 47, Fax: ++41 41 / 767 82 47
E-mail: media.relations@hapimag.com