Mediendossier-Winter-2023-24-EN

Welcome to the
Saas-Fee/Saastal
OVERNIGHT STAYS, GUEST NATIONALITIES AND LENGTHS OF STAY
DEVELOPMENT OF OVERNIGHT STAYS IN SAAS-FEE/SAASTAL
2005-2022
holiday region
1600000
Correction in the following year
Hospitality-adjacent industry
Hotels and groups
SUSTAINABILITY
Best Tourism Villages by UNTWO
As part of its ‘Best Tourism Villages’ initiative, the World
Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has been seeking out
the best tourism villages in the world. As a member
state of the UNWTO, Switzerland was entitled to submit
three candidates, all of whom received awards on
2 December 2021. No other country was as successful
as Switzerland. Saas-Fee received an award, as did
Gruyères and Valposchiavo. Tourism villages where
traditional activities such as agriculture and forestry
are practised, and which also use tourism as a way to
promote and preserve their cultural heritage and use
it for sustainable tourism development were eligible to
apply. Saas-Fee, for instance, impressed with its strong
focus on sustainable development, the agricultural activities
in the area and the local added value generated
by tourism in the Saas-Fee/Saastal holiday region.
Sustainability
AUTHENTIC MOUNTAIN VILLAGES
The Saas Valley is made up of four traditional mountain
communities: Saas-Fee, Saas-Grund, Saas-Almagell
and Saas-Balen. Saas-Fee is the biggest and most
tourist-focused of the four communities – yet it has still
managed to keep all of its rustic village charm. In the
Saas Valley, visitors can stroll down cobblestone alleys
between centuries-old barns and charming Valais-style
houses. In these communities, there is a special charm
in everything that is authentic, traditional and rustic.
-> Saas-Grund
Saas-Grund enchants visitors with its rustic buildings
and narrow, winding streets. The village is the
starting point for numerous hiking trails, such as the
Almageller and Gsponer mountain trail or the popular
‘18 Four-Thousanders’ circular trail in Hohsaas;
the latter offers the best views of the Mischabel
massif.
-> Saas-Almagell
Nestled between picturesque side valleys, Saas-Almagell
is the southernmost village of the four. It’s
particularly popular with hikers, as Saas-Almagell
is the starting point for many different trails. This is
where the adventure trail from Furggstalden to Almagelleralp
starts, as well as the route to the Monte
Moro Pass and Antrona Pass via the Mattmark Dam.
-> Saas-Balen
The village of Saas-Balen is located at the mouth of
the Saas Valley. Visitors should make time for a detour
to the imposing Fellbach Waterfall. Saas-Balen
is also the starting point for tons of hiking trails,
such as those leading to the hamlet of Matt or to
the Heimischgartu alpine pasture. Architecture fans
shouldn’t miss the late baroque Round Church built
in 1812. It’s the only one of its kind still standing in
Switzerland.
1400000
1200000
1000000
800000
600000
400000
200000
0
-200000
769’642
709’463
655’881
692’073
695’406
641’427
526’239
449’245
480’460
494’096
502’300
553’053
601’931
643’052
678’358
623’988
624’404
633’049
475’096
429’741
451’373
535’264
557’959
546’025
482’379
534’477
546’791
548’129
578’609
653’387
703’696
723’346
737’710
719’004
701’827
708’681
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
-> Saas-Fee
Saas-Fee is located at the base of the Dom, the tallest
mountain in Switzerland. Cars are not allowed in
the village, which is one of Switzerland’s more popular
winter destinations. The Saas-Fee glacier is home
to one of Europe’s rare summer ski areas, and the
Mittelallalin features the highest-altitude revolving
restaurant in the world. With its sun-bleached barns,
cobblestone streets and wooden Valais-style houses
framed by the Mischabel mountain range, Saas-
Fee has a special charm that attracts up to 9,000
guests in the high season.
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