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TOURISM

Swiss village forced to restrict visitor numbers after Netflix success

The quaint Swiss village of Iseltwald has been forced to limit the number of tourists after fans of a South Korean Netflix hit show flocked to the region in droves sparking a backlash from locals.

Published: 19 May 2023 15:47 CEST
Swiss village forced to restrict visitor numbers after Netflix success
A picture taken on June 2, 2023 shows the village of Iseltwald at the shore of Lake Brienz, in the Swiss Alps. Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

Iseltwald is often referred to as the pearl of Lake Brienz, and rightfully so. The fishing village is located on the left bank of the river and is one of the smallest communities in the canton of Bern – and locals would like to keep it that way.

However, with its crystal-clear lake and breath-taking mountain backdrop, Iseltwald also caught the eye of Netflix whose 2019 hit series Crash Landing on You partly takes place in the quaint village.

The show centres around a wealthy South Korean businesswoman who – following a paragliding incident – finds herself in North Kora where she encounters and eventually falls in love with a North Korean officer.

Many of the scenes, including the final and arguably most romantic scene, were filmed in the Bernese Oberland – much to the frustration of its 397 residents who have since struggled with roadblocks due to inconveniently parked tour buses and tourist numbers getting out of hand.

This has prompted the municipality to introduce further measures to ensure locals feel comfortable and tourists contribute to the economy.

Stricter rules for coaches

According to the municipality, to visit Iseltwald by coach you will have to make an online reservation in advance via https://portal.wyby.ch/lessors/iseltwald/

You will need to pay directly by credit card at the time of booking. Coaches must arrive and depart during their booked timeframe and must not stay parked longer than 2 hours.

Note that visiting Iseltwald by coach without a reservation is prohibited and therefore punishable by law – so, if you can’t find an available time slot you will not be allowed to visit the area by coach as there are no drop off zones.

The following time slots apply:

8 am to 10 am

10 am to 12 pm

1 pm to 3 pm

3 pm to 5 pm

5 pm to 7 pm starting June 1st 2023

But some exceptions apply…

However, the municipality has slightly more lax rules in place for overnight guests and boat owners.

Groupe arriving to the village by coach for more than a selfie stay – for example a visit to a restaurant or an overnight stay – can pass through free of charge.

There is one exception to the fees for the coaches: groups that not only drive to the village for a short photo stop, but also spend the night there or visit a restaurant can pass through free of charge.

If you happen to own a boat, you are also allowed to dock as usual. You can also pick up a token for the turnstile at the restaurants or the village shop which will allow you to return to your boat for free.

Beware the selfie fee

Yes, you heard that right. In order to discourage the queue build-up around the 7-metre-long pier – the set of a beloved couple’s piano scene – the municipality has introduced a selfie fee.

If you wish to take a selfie on the popular pier, you will owe the village five francs and if you feel the need to use the toilet, well that’ll be one franc please. The municipality has also installed two turnstiles to regulate access to the tourist attraction.

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For members

VISAS

How much money do you need to enter Switzerland on a tourist visa?

While tourists from many countries can enter Switzerland with just their passports, others need to have financial proof that they will be able to support themselves while in the country.

Published: 30 May 2024 17:27 CEST
How much money do you need to enter Switzerland on a tourist visa?

Citizens of many states, including members of the Schengen zone, as well as certain nationalities from outside the EU / EFTA — Brits, Americans, and Canadians among them — can come to Switzerland easily, and stay here for up to 90 days.

On the other hand, citizens of many other third nations, which are outlined here, need a tourist visa to enter Switzerland.

The burden of proof

According to State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), “third country nationals may be questioned by the border authorities about the purpose of their visit as well as their financial means. They may be turned away if they do not have sufficient financial means.”

“They must be able to demonstrate their financial resources amounting to at least 100 francs per day of their stay. Students with a valid student permit are required to demonstrate funds of 30 francs per day.”

“Sufficient financial resources” can be demonstrated by showing cash, traveller’s cheques, credit cards or other collaterals like a bank guarantee.”

Note, however, that these rules apply only to tourists; third-country citizens with work permits are exempted.

What if you don’t have 100 francs per day but still want to visit friends or relatives in Switzerland?

In this case, you will have to provide a letter of invitation from a Swiss host.

This is what such a letter should include, according to SEM:

A statement from your host (company or private individual) saying that they have invited you;
 
Your host’s and your own full details (surname, first name, date of birth, address, telephone
number, email address and nationality)

The length of stay
 
The date on which the letter was written
 
Your host’s signature
 
If the costs of travel, accommodation and food are being met by your host, this should also be mentioned.
 
The letter must be written in an official Swiss language (German, French or Italian).
 
It is even better (and increases your chances of being granted a visa) if you can show a Declaration of Sponsorship.
 
 “A Swiss embassy or consulate may require this declaration before issuing a visa, if applicants do not have sufficient funds or there is doubt as to whether they have sufficient funds to support themselves,” SEM said.
 
The following people/entities may submit a declaration of sponsorship:
 
Swiss citizens
 
Foreign nationals who have a residence or settlement permit
 
Legal entities according to the commercial or trade register
.
By signing the declaration of sponsorship, the guarantor undertakes to cover the following costs:

Costs arising from sickness, accident, return transport and living costs, which would otherwise arise for public welfare or private medical services during the applicant’s stay in the country.
 
A maximum of 30,000 francs  for individuals or families of up to 10 people who are travelling
together.

Why do Swiss authorities require such high burden of proof?

Clearly, they don’t want ‘penniless’ people to come into Switzerland and rely on government help in case of medical or other emergencies.

In fact, Switzerland is not the only country to have these requirements in place; they are pretty much standard throughout the Schengen zone.

These rules don’t exist for citizens of the EU or EFTA states (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) because there are mutual agreements in place covering emergency health care and other extreme situations that may befall citizens of these nations in Switzerland — and vice-versa.

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