As the reopening of the Gotthard base tunnel approaches, Ticino Turismo intensifies its presence north of the Alps through a series of initiatives that aim to extend the summer in Ticino. The “Colours of Ticino” campaign continues vigorously, accompanied by a series of promotional activities which will culminate next weekend with a truly original action on Lake Zurich.
A fun idea on Lake Zurich
On August 31st and September 1st, weather permitting, Rapperswil will be the scene of an initiative destined to capture the public's attention.
Ticino Turismo will distribute a thousand brightly colored popsicles, inspired by the Ticino landscapes: the "Lugano Sunset Orange" and the "Valle di Blenio Sunrise Yellow". The action is aimed primarily at pedalo users, a very popular activity in the waters surrounding the Ufenau and Lützelau Islands, an area particularly popular with families. The objective of this initiative is twofold: on the one hand, to arouse interest and sympathy towards Ticino; on the other, encourage participation in a prize competition, adding a touch of personal involvement to the visitor experience.
Promotion on multiple fronts: from posters to discounts for the summer in Ticino
In parallel with the action on Lake Zurich, Ticino Turismo continues to promote the canton through a series of initiatives at national level. The “Dein Sommer geht weiter” (Your summer continues) campaign is supported by intense poster activity, both analogue and digital, as well as collaborations with various media, both online and offline.
To attract tourists, a series of discounts and benefits have been introduced. Among these, a 20% discount on public transport to and from Ticino, a 20% reduction for stays in a selection of hotels, and a 50% discount on P+Rail parking at the station and on luggage transport. Furthermore, the FFS offers free seat reservations on trains heading to Ticino.
The crucial role of the reopening of the San Gottardo for the summer in Ticino
The reopening of the Gotthard base tunnel, scheduled for 2 September, is awaited with great hope, not only by the people of Ticino, but also by the canton's tourist operators. A survey commissioned by Ticino Turismo revealed that 16% of potential visitors gave up traveling to Ticino this summer due to limitations linked to the tunnel restoration works. A further 7% declared they had postponed their trip, also discouraged by the access difficulties caused by bad weather damage along the San Bernardino motorway axis.
The reopening of the tunnel therefore represents a crucial turning point, not only to facilitate connections between Ticino and the rest of Switzerland, but also to restore impetus to the local economy. This new connection will make the canton even more accessible, especially for those who, in recent months, have preferred alternative destinations.
Outlook for autumn
Looking to autumn, Ticino Turismo is preparing to launch new promotional actions to recover the ground lost during the spring and summer months, characterized by adverse weather conditions. In fact, the autumn season promises to be a crucial period to compensate for missed overnight stays and to further strengthen the attractiveness of Ticino as a leading tourist destination.
For more information on the “Colours of Ticino” campaign, you can visit the official Ticino Turismo website: www.ticino.ch.
