Making Tourism Sustainable

Sustainable tourism – how can that be achieved? Zürich Tourism shows what it takes. One thing is clear: everyone must make a contribution.

Sustainable Destination

Excellent connections, short distances, and a strong commitment to creating a liveable city.

Top in Sustainability

Zurich is one of the most sustainable destinations in the world.

In international sustainability ratings, Zurich regularly occupies top positions.

Global Destination Sustainability GDS-Index 2022	Position 17 out of 65
Smart City Index 2021	Position 2 out of 18
Mercer Quality of Living City Ranking 2019	Position 2 out of 231
Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index 2022	Position 11 out of 100

Experience Zurich Sustainably

Live, travel, or host events sustainably. That’s easy to do in Zurich.

Sustainability at Zürich Tourism

Zürich Tourism is committed to environmental, economic, and social sustainability.

Zürich Tourism is a pioneer in sustainability: the organization was certified in quality management as early as 2007 and in environmental management in 2010. In addition, it was the first climate-neutral Swiss tourism organization.

Zürich Tourism embodies the attitude that everyone – the public sector, private sector, science, and the population – must actively contribute towards achieving sustainable development. It aims to do this by strengthening the positive impacts of tourism and reducing the negative ones. This engagement should also inspire others beyond the organization and the destination.

Together with various interest groups, Zürich Tourism has developed a vision for sustainable, regenerative, and resilient tourism by 2030, based on the United Nations’ Agenda 2030.

Sustainability Strategy 2022–2026

Sustainability Goals by 2026

Destination Marketing Arouse a desire for sustainable Zurich. Guests, event planners, and media representatives come to Zurich because of its sustainability.	Destination Management Zürich Tourism wants to generate a sustainability movement in the region and encourage other tourism organizations to also get on board.
Experience on Location Deliver on the promise. Zürich offers the most authentic and highest-quality sustainable travel experience in a metropolis.	Employer Zürich Tourism is one of the most innovative, inclusive, and sustainable employers in Swiss tourism.

Destination Marketing

Arouse a desire for sustainable Zurich. Guests, event planners, and media representatives come to Zurich because of its sustainability.

Destination Management

Zürich Tourism wants to generate a sustainability movement in the region and encourage other tourism organizations to also get on board.

Experience on Location

Deliver on the promise. Zürich offers the most authentic and highest-quality sustainable travel experience in a metropolis.

Employer

Zürich Tourism is one of the most innovative, inclusive, and sustainable employers in Swiss tourism.

How do we get There?

Sustainability is a path. It is not about achieving perfection, but rather about addressing the issue in an on-going and holistic manner. Zürich Tourism is implementing a number of measures and planning new ones to achieve the goals laid out in its Sustainability Strategy 2022–2026.

More Information

Examples of Measures

Climate-neutral travel with “Cause We Care”.
Inclusive city tours
Zürich Tourism – the sustainable employer
Inspire and encourage partner businesses
Diversity and inclusion
NEA Summer School 2020
Internal Sustainability Circle

Sustainability Strategy Developed Jointly

Zürich Tourism has developed the Sustainability Strategy 2022 – 2026 in a participatory process.

Zurich’s tourism industry comprises many different interest groups: employees, tour guides, hotels and restaurants, tour operators, mobility firms, event organizations, persons involved in the cultural sector, retailers, the City and Canton, and local residents.

While they all have different interests, they also have one thing in common: they are all committed to protecting the planet.

For this reason, Zürich Tourism has worked together with these interest groups to develop the Sustainability Strategy 2022 – 2026. Its vision: to create a regenerative, resilient, and sustainable tourism in Zurich.