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Q&A: Levente Gyorgy-Mozes, head of international markets 

Email: levente.gyorgy@vaud-promotion.ch

Phone number: +41 21 613 26 09

What type of client will enjoy Canton Vaud?

Vaud is a great destination for families or couples (aged 35-65 years), in search of outdoor activities, outstanding cultural and gastronomic experiences. There is a unparalleled range of outdoor activities awaiting your clients, with hiking, biking and watersports. 

It’s also ideal for wine lovers and ski aficionados looking for safe and secure destinations close to the UK, where they can spend quality time with their loved ones in style.

What’s the best way to get to Canton Vaud from the UK and Ireland?

There’s easy access from London, with flights taking around 90 minutes, and from Dublin it’s a little over two hours. There are tens of daily flights operated by BA, Swiss and easyJet. There are direct train connections from Geneva Airport to Lausanne every 15 minutes (the scenic ride takes about 40 minutes).

Eurostar trains are also available from the UK for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint. The Swiss train system is one of the best in the world; the Swiss Pass is a very cost effective and sustainable way to explore our region. 

When is the best time of year to visit Canton Vaud?

For ski lovers, the best period to hit the slopes in Vaud is definitely January and March. For those looking for culture, gastronomy and dolce riviera, the summer months would be more appropriate. With September and October weather becoming more and more sunny and warm, autumn is the new rising star in Canton de Vaud! We highly recommend this period for those who want to get away from the crowds, looking for authentic local experiences and great travel deals.

What are the top things to do in Canton Vaud?

Vaud is all about culture, gastronomy and great outdoor activities. Make sure you do not miss any of the Vaud highlights: visit the Olympic Museum, go up to Glacier 3000, discover Lord Byron’s footsteps at Chillon Castle, take the GoldenPass train or enjoy a cruise on Lake Geneva with the CGN Steamships.

Tasting the local wine – the Chasselas –  is a must, while strolling through the Unesco Protected Heritage Site of the terraced Lavaux Vineyards. More than 95 Gault & Millau-rated restaurants are awaiting to tantalise your clients’ taste buds with local specialities such as the Malakoff or the Papet Vaudois.  

If your clients fancy hidden gems or local experiences, explore Vallee de Joux – the watchmaking paradise from where famous brands like Audemars Piguet and Jaeger-LeCoultre originate.

For those looking for city breaks, visit Lausanne, the main city of our region, which is the home of the IOC, innovation hub and university centre. It offers vibrant city life and was named among the top Best Small Cities In The World!

Are there any hot hotels agents should have on their radar?

In Canton Vaud we have more than 125 years of hospitality tradition. There is a wide range of accommodations,  from mid-range (Mona Montreux, Suisse Majestic and Chateau d’Ouchy) to world famous Palaces (Beau Rivage Palace, Fairmont Le Montreux Palace and Grand Hotel Du Lac.)

There have been several new hotel openings in our region recently, including Zleep Hotel Lausanne, Yotel Geneva Lake and the full reopening of the Villars Alpine Resort in the mountain resort of Villars-sur-Ollon.

Which events or festivals in Canton Vaud can agents use as a selling point?

Music always took the big stage in Vaud, especially in Montreux. Smoke On The Water, by Deep Purple or Queen’s Made in Heaven are strongly related with one of the most famous music festivals in Europe – The Montreux Jazz Festival. Our very own Woodstock, the Paleo Festival, also attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Sport lovers can attend our Diamond League event, Athletissima in Lausanne, the Rock Climbing Championship or the Ultraks in Villars.

For classical music aficionados we highly recommend the Septembre Musical Festival in Montreux, for nature lovers the Tulip Festival in Morges.

Wine enthusiasts should not miss the Open Cellar days in May, where our winemakers open their barrels and make available their best wines in all the Canton.

What are your top tips for agents selling holidays to Canton Vaud?

• Make sure to include the Swiss Pass in your client’s package. Traveling by train is a part of the Swiss Experience, and they will save a considerable amount compared to driving and parking.
• Autumn is a great period to visit Vaud: the changing colours of nature are breathtaking, there are no crowds and hotel prices are reasonable.
• Make sure you combine lake and mountain destinations, for example visiting Lausanne or Montreux and Villars or Chateau-d’Oex. It takes 30 minutes to get from Lake Geneva to the Alps – Vaud is the best of Switzerland in a nutshell!