Following Lauterbrunnen and Iseltwald, a new top destination in Switzerland has taken steps to kerb tourism numbers. From May 10, anyone who wants to visit the azure waters of the Oeschinensee will have to book in advance.
Part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage site, the Oeschinensee in the Bernese Oberland is one of the most beautiful lakes Switzerland has to offer. But from March 10, anyone who wants to take the gondola up the mountain to see the lake will need to book their visit in advance.
Speaking to Travelnews, Kandersteg-Oeschinensee gondola chairman Christoph Wandfluh explained that they wanted to "better manage the flow of visitors, reduce waiting times and, above all, relieve the pressure on nature." In recent years, the site has become a hotspot for tourists, leading to overcrowding and damage to local wildlife.
Wandfluh noted that the decision was the result of years of planning, adding that rangers will also be used to inform visitors of how to treat the area with respect. Though it is unclear how many people will be able to visit the lake every day, every person needs to register for a lift ticket in advance. This can be done via the official website.
With Switzerland catering to a record number of tourists last year, many ski resorts, historical sites and towns have been struggling to balance the financial benefits with the costs to local life. Last year, Lauterbrunnen debated introducing an entrance fee for the town, while in 2023, the town of Iseltwald introduced a five-franc fee for access to a pier, which became famous after an appearance on a South Korean TV show.