Swiss pilot scheme offers free transport with hotel bookings in Valais
Swiss pilot scheme offers free transport with hotel bookings in Valais
Swiss pilot scheme offers free transport with hotel bookings in Valais
A new pilot scheme in Valais will offer Swiss residents free public transport when they book hotel stays. The initiative, called the Mobility Ticket, launches in summer 2026 and targets guests who stay for at least two nights. Organisers hope it will encourage longer visits and boost direct bookings with local hotels.
The project is a collaboration between Valais/Wallis Promotion, the Valais Hoteliers' Association, and Alliance Swisspass. To qualify, guests must book directly with participating hotels rather than through third-party platforms. The scheme runs from 1 May to 31 October, though the exact number of hotels involved has not been confirmed.
Funded by the federal government's Innotour program, the pilot will be statistically evaluated by several universities. Its goals include promoting sustainable tourism, adapting to shifting traveller habits, and reducing reliance on intermediaries. Similar initiatives, such as Vaud's *Boulangeries Vertes* for eco-friendly bakeries, suggest that other Swiss regions may explore comparable models in future.
The Mobility Ticket offers free round-trip transport for eligible stays starting in 2026. By linking discounts to direct bookings, the scheme aims to support local businesses while cutting carbon emissions. Results from the pilot will help determine whether the model expands to other destinations.