TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
Following the improving situation in Switzerland in connection with COVID-19, and the constant decrease in the number of new and active infected cases, the city of Geneva has started to open up while still maintaining the necessary security measures to ensure the health and safety of citizens and visitors.
Starting from May 11, Geneva’s restaurants, shops, markets, travel agencies, museums, libraries and sports facilities were reopened with precautionary measures being applied. The reopening plan consists of different phases where each entity in Geneva will gradually take a step closer to being fully operational. On June 8, Phase 3 will take effect and swimming pools, theatres, cinemas, zoos, botanical gardens, animal parks and mountain transport services will be open to the public again.
“We are optimistic about the current situation in Geneva and looking forward to more positive developments highlighted with the opening of airports for international flights soon,” says Franck Romanet, Market Manager GCC & India at Geneva Tourism & Conventions Foundation. “With the restrictions in Geneva being lifted and with more airlines announcing their return flights and connecting the GCC to our city, we hope to see more and more tourists from the GCC region travelling again to their favourite destination, Geneva,” Romanet continues.
Every year Geneva welcomes the highest numbers of travellers from the GCC compared to other Swiss cities. This is linked to Geneva’s diverse offerings, natural scenery and unique shopping opportunities which Arab travellers look forward to. The number of halal food restaurants and the hotels with Arabic speaking staff makes travellers from the Middle East region feel at home when visiting Geneva. Another important factor which makes Geneva an appealing destination for Arabs is its medical offerings which have a positive international reputation thanks to the number of clinics and hospitals available, the cutting-edge technology deployed and the research institutes which pave the way to create new treatments and medicines for different conditions. Arab travellers usually head to Geneva to do regular check-ups, treat certain ailments or for recreation purposes.
Once the flight connections are back on schedule, the city of Geneva will be ready to take its visitors on a journey of discovery to enjoy dream moments and create everlasting memories. A stroll on the shores of Geneva’s lake with views of the Jet d’Eau on one side and the magnificent Jura mountains on the other; a visit to one of the world’s unique museums to observe Geneva’s fascinating history; or visiting the birthplace of the World Wide Web where the starting point for the development of websites saw the light in 1989 at CERN in Geneva; and more will be waiting for the travellers to reignite their senses and enjoy the adventure of travel again.
