Guests
We meet guests’ many and diverse expectations
We are convinced that experiencing the world, getting to know people, cultures and nature, as well as broadening one’s horizons is extremely valuable. Not everybody has the financial means to do this. As a professional and modern non-profit organisation, the Swiss Youth Hostels are actively committed to enabling young people, school classes, families and persons with disabilities in particular to enjoy encounters, activities and experiences outside their usual environment.
Saanen-Gstaad Youth Hostel
Guest diversity (arrivals)
Arrivals | 2023 | in % | 2024 | in % | 2025 | in % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TOTAL | 402,198 | 100.0 | 410,579 | 100.0 | 413,359 | 100.0 |
Switzerland | 288,004 | 71.6 | 283,332 | 69.0 | 268,768 | 65.0 |
Europe | 68,186 | 17.0 | 76,029 | 18.5 | 84,598 | 20.5 |
Asia | 27,267 | 6.8 | 30,822 | 7.5 | 35,752 | 8.6 |
North America | 11,783 | 2.9 | 12,884 | 3.1 | 15,300 | 3.7 |
South America | 2,349 | 0.6 | 3,064 | 0.8 | 3,866 | 0.9 |
Australia | 2,557 | 0.6 | 2,567 | 0.6 | 3,134 | 0.8 |
Africa | 2,052 | 0.5 | 1,881 | 0.5 | 1,941 | 0.5 |
Arrivals | 2024* | in % | 2025* | in % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
TOTAL | 410,6 | 100.0 | 413,4 | 100.0 |
Switzerland | 283,3 | 69.0 | 268,8 | 65.0 |
Europe | 76,0 | 18.5 | 84,6 | 20.5 |
Asia | 30,8 | 7.5 | 35,8 | 8.6 |
North America | 12,9 | 3.1 | 15,3 | 3.7 |
South America | 3,1 | 0.8 | 3,9 | 0.9 |
Australia | 2,6 | 0.6 | 3,1 | 0.8 |
Africa | 1,9 | 0.5 | 1,9 | 0.5 |
* in thousands
A decline in visitors from Switzerland was observed in 2025. This decline was offset by an increase in guests from abroad, who now account for 35.0% of the total number of arrivals (prior year 31.0%). The largest increase recorded concerned guests from Europe.
Average length of stay of guests (overnight stays)
No Data Found
No Data Found
The average length of stay was just under two nights in 2025. This is in line with the average of prior years. Only minimal shifts were observed within the markets of origin.
Top 7 countries (overnight stays)
2023 | in % |
|---|---|
Top 7 | 89.6 |
Switzerland | 73.3 |
Germany | 6.9 |
United Kingdom | 2.5 |
South Korea | 2.2 |
USA | 2.0 |
France | 1.6 |
Italy | 1.1 |
2024 | in % |
|---|---|
Top 7 | 88.6 |
Switzerland | 70.8 |
Germany | 7.7 |
South Korea | 2.4 |
United Kingdom | 2.4 |
France | 2.1 |
USA | 2.1 |
China | 1.2 |
2025 | in % |
|---|---|
Top 7 | 86.8 |
Switzerland | 67.4 |
Germany | 8.9 |
USA | 2.5 |
France | 2.2 |
United Kingdom | 2.2 |
South Korea | 2.0 |
China | 1.6 |
In 2025, guests from Switzerland and Germany accounted for the majority of overnight stays. While the share of guests from Switzerland was down on the prior year, the proportion of guests from Germany increased significantly. The share of overnight stays in the top seven countries fell slightly to 86.8% (prior year 88.6%).
Guest segments
Guest segments | 2023 | in % | 2024 | in % | 2025 | in % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TOTAL | 807,196 | 100.0 | 813,412 | 100.0 | 823,949 | 100.0 |
Individual guests | 351,851 | 43.6 | 360,962 | 44.4 | 363,781 | 44.1 |
Families | 160,787 | 19.9 | 169,182 | 20.8 | 175,578 | 21.3 |
Schools | 146,932 | 18.2 | 143,484 | 17.6 | 152,138 | 18.5 |
Groups | 147,626 | 18.3 | 139,784 | 17.2 | 132,452 | 16.1 |
Guest segments | 2024* | in % | 2025* | in % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
TOTAL | 813,4 | 100.0 | 823,9 | 100.0 |
Individual guests | 361,0 | 44.4 | 363,8 | 44.1 |
Families | 169,2 | 20.8 | 175,6 | 21.3 |
Schools | 143,5 | 17.6 | 152,1 | 18.5 |
Groups | 139,8 | 17.2 | 132,5 | 16.1 |
* in thousands
The positive trend in overnight stays continued in 2025. A large increase in the number of overnight stays was recorded at schools (+6.0% compared with the prior year). In addition, the number of overnight stays increased for both individual travellers as well as families.
Key figures
2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Overnight stays, own hostels | 565,433 | 751,722 | 807,196 | 813,412 | 823,949 |
Overnight stays including partner hostels | 616,869 | 817,686 | 882,532 | 880,046 | 895,649 |
2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
Overnight stays, own hostels | 813,412 | 823,949 |
Overnight stays including partner hostels | 880,046 | 895,649 |
