Tourism is also in Switzerland a key industrial sector accounting for approximately 4% of total GDP each year. Switzerland is among the top 20 tourist destinations worldwide and in 2001 alone the tourism industry generates 22.4 billion Swiss francs. Foreign tourists travel to Switzerland from all over the world in order to enjoy the beautiful unspoiled nature of Switzerland's mountains and the impressive ski resorts in the Swiss Alps. In fact every year around 55% of total revenues of the tourism industry are generated by foreign visitors.

The tourism industry is also a major employer in Switzerland. Statistically every twelfth working person in Switzerland is somehow connected to the tourism industry. In 2001 about 265,000 jobs were provided either directly or indirectly by tourism businesses.

At the moment the Swiss tourism industry is becoming increasingly under pressure due to the formation of other attractive tourist destinations in Europe. In order to keep market share Switzerland is improving its tourism infrastructure further focussing on the high end of the tourism market.