In conversation with Maureen Yeo from Andermatt Swiss Alps

The thrill of slopes has been a bit out of reach for some of us for a long while. However, we are now seeing more people travelling and a general easing of the regulations about visitors around the world.

To find out how travel is changing, we have been speaking to experts from all over the world and across different subsets of the entire industry. One such person is Maureen Yeo, who is the Regional Director for Asia at Andermatt Swiss Alps.

READ MORE: We speak to Pascal Gekko from Traveloka about all things travel

We wanted to find out more about the changing travel paradigms from her perspective. Here’s what she had to share.

How has the rebound been post-pandemic?

In 2021, despite the pandemic’s hold on global tourism, Andermatt Swiss Alps saw record revenue, property sales and hotel occupancy. Property sales were up 58%, while our hotels posted positive operational results for the first time.

The high demand is attributable to the variety and attractiveness of Andermatt’s offerings. As a year-round destination, the quaint village’s stunning scenery amid breathtaking mountains is a refreshing change of pace from the fast-paced and buzzing cities that Singaporeans are used to. It also offers a myriad of seasonal and cultural activities for residents and guests alike.

In 2022, we expect the figures to increase further as travellers release their pent-up demand for travel and are eager for some revenge travelling following the easing of travel restrictions for many Asian countries. For the first half of 2022, we have already seen a 10% increase in the number of bookings at our hotels, The Chedi Andermatt and Radisson Blu.

Have there been any changes in the demographics of the travellers over the last year?

Over the past year, the majority of travellers visiting Andermatt were Swiss locals and Europeans who came from countries in Europe because Switzerland eased Covid restrictions much earlier. However, we are delighted to see the return of visitors from Asia as borders for many countries in the region reopen, and are ready to welcome them back to the beauty and adventures that await them at Andermatt.

Do you expect there to be growth in the next 12 months given the current economic climate?

Despite concerns about the current economic situation, we do not see travellers cancelling plans or postponing trips as there is so much pent-up demand following the pandemic, for example, from Swiss tourists who cannot wait to travel to the sea again this summer. On the other hand, travel continues to rebound strongly, and we see this in the increased hotel bookings as well as the strong recovery of air passenger traffic. Consumers who had been saving and underspending during Covid are more willing to splurge on their future travels as they seek to experience every bit of their trips to the fullest.

Singaporean investors, who have a propensity to check out properties while they travel, would also seek cover in real estate investments amid current economic concerns.

For these groups of people, Andermatt Reuss is particularly attractive, given that it is one of Switzerland’s only regions that allow foreign investors to acquire properties without restrictions, allowing them the same rights to owning and holding properties as Swiss residents. All units are freehold and there is no stamp duty on purchasing properties.

Andermatt Swiss Alps has just launched its latest development, Pazola. Inspired by Switzerland’s grand mountain palazzi of the past, the sophisticated collection of luxury residences designed by award-winning architects offers residents a modern and cosy retreat all year round, the perfect home away from home for those wishing to escape the confines of towns and cities.

Can you share some of the changing expectations of travellers since COVID?

Travellers have become a lot more mindful when they travel. They place a greater priority on wellness, looking for destinations that allow them to recharge, disconnect from their daily lives and reconnect with each other and nature.

Andermatt Swiss Alps caters to this. As a well-renowned wellness hub, a holistic approach to health is not just a philosophy in Switzerland but a lifestyle throughout the country. Alongside active adventures, Andermatt offers world-class spa facilities and well-being amenities at resident hotels The Chedi Andermatt and Radisson Blu.

Additionally, the pandemic has accelerated the shift toward conscious consumption. According to 81% of respondents polled in Booking.com’s 2022 Sustainable Travel Report, travelling sustainability is an important consideration, and issues such as excess waste, threats to local wildlife and natural habitats, carbon emissions and respect for the local community are some of their biggest impact concerns.

At Andermatt Swiss Alps, our ongoing campaign, known as Andermatt Responsible, advocates for sustainable, climate-friendly tourism in the Andermatt region. It is our promise to protect and maintain the local surroundings and environment and is also our remedy to over-tourism.

Through Andermatt Responsible, we have implemented a number of sustainable initiatives to improve our impact on the environment, society and economy, such as:

• Using 100% carbon-neutral energy sources to power electricity and heating for buildings and facilities in the Andermatt Reuss
• Becoming plastic-free – Significantly reducing the use of single-use plastics, utilising returnable bottles for guests to take up the mountain.
• Adopting electro-mobility – Using 100% carbon-neutral passenger vehicles and expanding charging infrastructure for electric vehicles
• Supporting community projects – Supporting various sustainable programmes within the region, such as annual Clean-Up Days.

Could you give us your must-sees for first-time travellers to the Andermatt?

The idyllic Alpine village of Andermatt is situated in the heart of the Swiss Alps, in the Uresen Valley in the Canton of Uri. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, Andermatt’s exceptional location ensures that residents and guests enjoy breathtaking views and a plethora of outdoor adventures 365 days a year.

From skiing in winter on 180km of pistes – the largest slopes in central Switzerland – to playing golf on the award-winning 18-hole course and hiking over 500km of trails in summer, there’s never a shortage of activities to do all year round.

Additionally, the up-and-coming destination with a deep history offers much in terms of cultural and dining experiences. It has a plethora of wellness programmes, state-of-the-art facilities including a new world-class 650-seater concert hall, as well as a diverse dining scene featuring three Michelin-starred restaurants.

Its central location at the crossroad in the Alps also makes it easy for travellers to plan excursions to other parts of Switzerland like Lucerne and Lugano, as well as Milan, Italy.