These are the most sustainable destinations

Forest in the Lower Engadine

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Intro

In addition to tourist businesses, there are entire destinations in Switzerland that are committed to sustainability and can call themselves Swisstainable Destinations. These tourism destinations make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of Swiss tourism. We have put together these particularly responsible destinations and highlight their very personal characteristics.

The Swiss Sustainability Programme for Tourism Destinations.
Swisstainable Destinations
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Basel: The City of Art and the River

Art institutions and equally known for its chemical industry. But the city offers much more than that. The urban metropolis on the border with Germany and France is constantly reinventing itself and is committed to sustainability. In Basel, sustainability means reducing the ecological footprint, increasing sustainable experiences and promoting local value creation in the region. To this end, among many other things, bridges are to be built between cultures. Swisstainable Destination Level III – leading

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Entlebuch Biosphere: Silence in the endless moor

The largest and most numerous moorland landscapes in Switzerland as well as a flora and fauna of international importance characterise the Entlebuch. It is not surprising that the area is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a mystical world full of peace, inspiration and relaxation. The UNESCO Biosphere has been around for almost 25 years. It is correspondingly strong in all areas of sustainability. In economics, the focus is on moor protection and karst landscapes. However, sustainable work is also carried out in education, research, the energy sector and the economy. The biosphere would like to increase the high standard even further in the future. In the field of tourism, the biosphere focuses on inclusive, barrier-free tourism. Swisstainable Destination Level III – leading

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Engadine, Scuol, Zernez, Val Müstair: The home of the national park

Nature, living traditions, place of power. This region is characterised by overwhelming, partly untouched nature. Here, people live in harmony with nature and treat it with great respect. The locals also maintain old traditions and customs. In connection with the Lower Engadine, the word "place of power" comes up again and again. Anyone who gets involved in the region quickly notices this." The destination put the topic of sustainability on the agenda early on and is now one of the leading players in this field. Swisstainable Destination Level III – leading

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Engelberg: In the realm of snow and ice

Engelberg is located in a high valley at around 1000 metres above sea level. And then the Titlis at 3,239 metres above sea level. The glacier and local mountain, the mountain world in general, dominate the destination Engelberg. In winter, Engelberg is known for its ski and freeride area. In summer, hiking, mountaineering and climbing are very popular. By participating in "Swisstainable Destination", Engelberg has committed itself to continuous sustainable destination development. The region is committed to the efficient use of energy, climate protection, renewable energies and environmentally friendly mobility. Swisstainable Destination Level I – committed

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Lucerne: The city, the mountain, the water

Hub applies to Lucerne. From the city on Lake Lucerne it is close to the mountains. Lucerne is considered the gateway to the Alps. And the city, which has long been a place of longing for poets, but also musicians and artists of all kinds, today makes it easy for guests to travel consciously. Short distances, local specialities and genuine nature experiences characterise Lucerne. They know exactly that nature is the most important treasure and take care of the environment accordingly. Lucerne lives sustainable tourism. Swisstainable Destination Level I – committed

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Saas-Fee/Saas Valley: Where the mountains shine

In Saas-Fee and the Saas Valley, the highest mountains in Switzerland are the stars. When they glow in the sunset, it is a breathtaking experience. It is often referred to as an imposing natural stage, as an elemental force. In the Saas Valley there is a good infrastructure for families, top athletes or connoisseurs. Sustainability here means taking responsibility for the environment, society and the economic future of the region. The focus is on long-term solutions. Saas-Fee, for example, is car-free. This leads to a reduction in CO2 emissions and gives visitors a nice holiday experience. Swisstainable Destination Level I – committed

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St.Gallen-Lake Constance: An idyll between the Alps and the lake

Gently rolling hills, endless views over Lake Constance and pure nature characterise the St. Gallen-Lake Constance region. Even in the city of St. Gallen, nature is always present: the city park, the botanical garden and the ‘Drei Weieren’ offer green retreats in the middle of the urban space. Numerous outdoor experiences await just a stone's throw away - from e-bike tours through Appenzellerland to relaxed excursions on the lake, there is something for everyone. Together with its partners, the destination stands for future-oriented quality instead of short-lived trends. To achieve this, they focus on sustainable offers, regional cuisine and strong hospitality. Swisstainable Destination Level I – committed

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Surselva: Far away from mass tourism

Authentic, far from mass tourism, in the heart of the Alps; that fits the Sursevla. And the Surselva includes the holiday resorts of Brigels, Obersaxen, Val Lumnezia or Illanz. The holiday region scores with numerous natural attractions and picturesque mountain villages. These landscapes, communities and value chains are to be strengthened. The harmonious coexistence of guests, second natives and locals as well as the preservation of traditions and customs are important topics. By anchoring sustainability in the strategy, resources across the entire spectrum of sustainability are to be coordinated, protected and developed. Swisstainable Destination Level I – committed

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Val-de-Travers: The magic of the "Green Fairy"

The "Green Fairy" is closely linked to the Val-de-Travers. We are talking about absinthe schnapps, which was banned for a long time. It is brewed here and is just as formative for the area as the watch industry. The valley is also known for natural beauties such as the Creux du Van natural rock amphitheatre or the Areuse gorge. The majority of visitors come from the surrounding area, which minimises the environmental impact of travel. Traditions, cultural life and local specialties are promoted. In the future, the region will intensify efforts in various areas of sustainability. Swisstainable Destination Level I – committed

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Zug: Diversity and local recreation at the lake

On the one hand, there is certainly the sunset. It is particularly beautiful in Zug. When the sun sets over the lake, everything turns blood red – a fantastic play of colours. In addition, there is the old town with its narrow, winding streets and the local recreation area in the countryside. Tourism pursues the goal of promoting sustainability throughout the canton. This is done through targeted events on the topic. This is intended to raise awareness and create a strong awareness of sustainable tourism in the areas of environment, social affairs and economy. The magic word in Zug is "together". All these goals are to be achieved together with all top performers. Swisstainable Destination Level I – committed

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