Evaluation of the 2013 package of tourism policy measures

Brugger + Partner, together with the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, evaluated the 2013 package of tourism policy measures on behalf of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). This package was introduced to support Swiss tourism during a period of significant challenges, including the strong Swiss franc and the adoption of the second homes initiative. The Federal Council pursued two main objectives: a) mitigating the negative impacts of the second homes initiative and b) accompanying the accelerated structural transformation in the tourism sector. The evaluation critically examined the design, implementation, and impact of the measures and provided recommendations for the federal government. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative analyses such as document and data reviews, interviews, and a standardised survey for Innotour. The findings revealed that the mix of instruments (SGH, Innotour, NRP) was largely effective. However, it was noted that, in retrospect, excessive funding was allocated to the NRP impulse measures, and the time frame for some instruments was not optimal.