Tourism 360° - Creating value over the 4 seasons in traditional seasonal destinations

 

 

The canton of Valais, located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, has long been a popular destination for its magnificent scenery and rich history. As early as the 19th century, the first tourist infrastructures were developed to welcome travellers fascinated by the beauty of the mountains and the purity of the Alpine air. This pioneering, mainly summer tourism quickly evolved into a key component of the Valais economy, with skiing and winter sports becoming essential drivers of tourism growth in the 20th century.

 

For several decades, ‘snow’ or ‘winter’ tourism has made its mark thanks to the attractiveness of ski areas of international quality. Today, faced with economic and climatic challenges, the Valais, like the rest of the Alps, has to reckon with global warming and is resolutely moving towards a four-season tourism model. This strategic development not only diversifies the tourism offering, but also strengthens the resilience of the local economy by maximising the region's appeal throughout the year. 4-season tourism encourages the discovery of the natural and cultural riches of the Valais through activities adapted to each period of the year: hiking in summer, skiing and snow sports in winter, grape harvests, gastronomy and festivals in autumn, and wellness or exploring typical villages in spring. This balanced, sustainable approach helps to maintain the attractiveness of the Valais, while enhancing its heritage and supporting local communities throughout the year.

 

Working on the theme of four-season tourism in the canton of Valais offers many enriching opportunities for you, future students of tourism, both academically and professionally.

 

Here are just a few of the reasons why this topic is particularly interesting:

  • A multidisciplinary approach: Developing four-season tourism requires a comprehensive understanding of economic, ecological and cultural issues. You'll have the opportunity to explore a variety of disciplines, from tourism management to environmental sustainability, marketing and local heritage development.
  • A privileged field context: The Valais offers an exceptional setting for the study of tourism. Working there will enable you to carry out field research in collaboration with local stakeholders, such as tourist offices, hotels, ski resorts and leisure businesses.
  • Developing practical skills: By working with local partners, you can acquire essential project management, communication and problem-solving skills, while developing their professional network.
  • Contribute to sustainable tourism: The development of four-season tourism is part of a sustainable approach, which is essential in the current context of climate change. You will have the opportunity to propose innovative solutions to reduce the ecological footprint of tourism while supporting the local economy. You will play an active role in the transition to a more responsible tourism model.
  • Promoting local heritage and culture: By working on this theme, you will be helping to promote the natural and cultural riches of the Valais, thereby encouraging authentic tourism that benefits visitors and locals alike. This helps to strengthen the sense of local identity and preserve traditions while adapting them to the needs of modern tourists.
  • A fast-changing sector: Tourism is a constantly evolving field, and the Valais, as a major tourist destination, is an ideal laboratory for observing emerging trends and new practices. This will enable you to familiarise yourself with the current dynamics of the tourism market and anticipate the challenges of tomorrow.

As you will have seen, the development of four-season tourism is essential to the future of tourism in Valais. That's why the theme of this year's seminar is: Tourism 360°: ‘Creating value throughout the 4 seasons in traditional seasonal destinations’. We look forward to hearing your thoughts and innovative proposals on this issue throughout the week, so that we can contribute to a sustainable and attractive future for Valais destinations.