The tourist office for the Lötschental Valley in canton Valais is emphasising that it is safe for visitors and it’s open for business.
The valley has been in the news because is where the village of Blatten is.
A local hotel owner told the Blick newspaper that bookings are down and some cancelled their rooms that had been booked before the landslide.
Herbert Bürgisser says he thinks people are afraid to visit – for two reasons: They worry whether the valley is safe and they don’t want to appear to be ‘disaster tourist.’
The director of the local tourist office, Mathias Fleischmann, says access to the valley is open, the cable cars are running, the hotels and restaurants are all open, as are the hiking trails. Access is only limited around Blatten itself.
He says he has been asked if it is ‘appropriate’ to visit the valley? He stresses that it is a sign of solidarity to visit and that the future of the valley is dependent on tourism.
Parliament releases CHF 5m for Blatten
Previously laid water pipes need reinforcing
Escalade runners will be limited this year
Geneva tops heat chart
Step towards looser arms re-export rules
Geneva prepares heatwave plan
