Last weekend, the Canton of Ticino was the protagonist of a unique tourism promotion operation which saw its showcase move to the Knies Kinderzoo in Rapperswil. The event, the result of the collaboration between Ticino Tourism and the railway company Southern Railway (SOB), recorded a turnout of over 2000 visitors, confirming itself as a strategic initiative for tourism in Ticino.
The stated objective of the initiative, as underlined in the press release issued by Ticino Turismo, is to consolidate dialogue with the German-speaking Swiss public and to encourage them to visit the Canton even outside the summer season.. Manuela Nicoletti, Marketing Director of Ticino Turismo, commented on the success of the initiative, reiterating the area's ability to attract families and strengthen ties with the rest of Switzerland..
The event was an opportunity to present Ticino as an easily accessible autumn destination.. To involve the participants, a prize competition was organised which offered the winners stays in the Ascona-Locarno region and experiences on board the Gotthard train..
Collaboration with SOB proved crucial. Reto Ebnöther, Head of Marketing and Sales at SOB, highlighted how the Gotthard Train allows passengers to discover the different facets of Ticino, from the Leventina valleys to the atmosphere of Locarno. , and reiterated the importance of this partnership for the joint promotion of quality tourism offerings.
This synergy does not end with the event at the zoo. The cooperation between Ticino Turismo and SOB extends to other projects, including the “VBZ Ticino Aperitivo Tram” in Zurich, various media campaigns and the current one linked to the Ticino Ticket..
During the day, another significant development was also announced, which underlines the joint focus on sustainability: in collaboration with Stadler Rail, starting next year the zoo's traditional “Rösslitram” will be replaced by a modern electric tram..
The initiative is part of a growth context for the tourism in Ticino, which saw a 6,8% increase in national visitors to hotel facilities in the months of June and July compared to the previous year. The event at Knies Kinderzoo represents a further step in the strategy of seasonal adjustment, aiming to extend the attractiveness of the Canton also in the autumn and winter months.
