Charlie Chaplin (aka Switzerland Tourism intern Luc Berthold) with Ursula Beamish-Mader, also with the tourist board
Evelyn Lafone, Switzerland Tourism's new manager/Canada
TV producer and host Shannon Skinner with Philippe Vignon of Geneva Tourism
Delicious raclette
We all know about the magnificent Swiss Alps and all that champagne air (not to mention the amazing chocolate) but this week a roomful of industry types learned about a forthcoming attraction in Switzerland that will have tourists to Switzerland enjoying the great indoors.
It’s Chaplin’s World, a museum to celebrate Charlie Chaplin, to be located in the late comic legend’s home near Montreux. Chaplin was actually British, not American, and after his Hollywood years chose Switzerland as his home.
However Chaplin’s world isn’t due to open until spring of next year… so what do those clever Swiss have up their sleeves for us until then? For starters, there’s a new Manager for Canada, Evelyn Lafone who transferred just 3 months ago from Switzerland Tourism’s office in Australia (and is gradually getting used to the Canadian climate!)
Switzerland will be front and centre at Montreal en Lumiere festival February 19th to March 1st next year, complete with visiting Swiss chefs, artists and musicians. Also, in January, the country is launching an international Lights! Camera! Switzerland! contest with the winner getting to host a TV show about... Switzerland!
Monday’s event concentrated on Switzerland’s southwest corner, known as the Lake Geneva and Matterhorn region. As guests dined on Swiss dishes including that decadent delicacy called raclette (gooey melted cheese served with boiled potatoes and pickled onions: delish) they learned about the advantages of the Geneva Pass – as little as 25 Swiss francs for 24 hours and permitting free or discounted admission to 40 attractions and activities.
Lausanne’s castle-style 5* Royal Savoy will reopen next year after a $117 million renovation and for skiing clients there’s a new Snowpass 6 Days allowing skiers staying in the Valais to try out 2 days at each of 3 ski resorts.
Downhill skiing being, of course, the perfect way to work off a hearty raclette lunch!
