A Swiss city is offering visitors a financial incentive to visit in the form of a gift card that can be used at various hotels, restaurants, cafés, bars, and activities. With travel having been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Geneva is issuing the enticement to encourage the return of tourism.
The Geneva Gift Card has a value of 100 CHF (€93) and can be spent in 58 hotels and guesthouses, 66 bars and restaurants, and a variety of attractions. Visitors receive it when checking in at a participating hotel or guesthouse and must be staying for at least two nights to qualify. Only one card is given out per room, and they are valid until 31 December 2020; however, it is prudent to note that any outstanding balance will not be refunded.
Geneva, Switzerland’s second-largest city, is home to the headquarters of several international organizations such as the World Trade Organization, World Health Organization, International Committee of the Red Cross, and the second-largest branches of the United Nations and World Bank. Moreover, it features a range of luxury hotels, boutiques, jewellers, restaurants, and chocolatiers. Conversely, its vibrant counterculture thrives in areas such as Les Grottes, the Quartier des Pâquis, and along the post-industrial Rhône.
Another advantage of visiting Geneva is that, upon arrival at Geneva International Airport, travelers can obtain a free 80-minute ticket for the city’s extensive public transport system. Furthermore, when you stay at a hotel, youth hostel, or campsite, you will receive a “Geneva Transport Card,” allowing public transport to be free for the entire duration of your stay. Notably, public places with free Wi-Fi access include Geneva’s lakefront, La Perle du Lac, Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Parc de la Grange et Parc des Eaux-Vives, and Plaine de Plainpalais.
Switzerland is open to tourists from countries deemed low risk for infection rates. However, individuals who have spent time in countries or areas with heightened infection risks must enter quarantine upon arrival. A regularly updated list specifies these countries and areas. Currently, arrivals from the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, China, and Ireland can bypass quarantine restrictions. A full list of mandatory quarantine countries can be viewed here.
To view the full list of businesses in which the Geneva Gift Card can be utilized, please see here.
