Swiss Stories

Eat

Swiss startups driving vegan innovation

Society
Switzerland is playing a leading role in research and innovation in the fast-changing food sector.
Advertising poster, around 1900

Henri Nestlé: the man behind the global enterprise

History
With his small family business and product inventions, the pharmacist from Frankfurt was eking out a modest living in Vevey. That is, until he came across an exceptionally lucrative market gap: infant formula, made from the finest Swiss ingredients.
Barbara Piatti

by Barbara Piatti

A young woman throws her ballot paper into the ballot box. Committee for Bern, 1 March 1970.

Swiss women at the polls!

History
It wasn't until 123 years after the Federal Constitution of 1848 and three years after the social movements in Europe in 1968 that Switzerland granted voting rights at federal level to all its citizens. Surprising for a prosperous and peaceful country like ours? Maybe not, when you consider the Swiss political system and the realities of those times. Let's take a look back at the history of gender equality in Switzerland with Sylvie Durrer, head of the Swiss Federal Office for Gender Equality.
swiss night trains

Night trains – sustainability in style

Society
It's certainly no secret that railways are the most environmentally friendly means of motorised transport. Yet the waning demand for night trains did not start making its comeback until relatively recently, with increasing environmental awareness and concerns about the planet's sustainability. It's easy to see where the travel trends are taking us: more and more people want a clear conscience included when reserving trips like the one from Zurich to Vienna.
Happy Genie

Swiss a-Peel

Environment
Two start-ups born in Switzerland are bringing the concepts of 'cradle-to-cradle' and 'circular economy' closer to home by giving organic waste a new, fashionable lease on life.

by Miguel Quintana

Swiss environment

Swiss environmental protection

Environment
Lakes, mountains and clean air are inextricably associated with Switzerland's quality of life. Beyond its picture-postcard image, Switzerland's natural environment is an integral part of the country's character and identity. To safeguard this natural heritage the Federal Council and the people of Switzerland have adopted a series of concrete measures in recent years. Key aspects of Switzerland's environmental policy:
© Swiss Travel System AG / Tobias Ryser

Swiss Public Transport - Sustainable by Design

Environment
Swiss public transport is the preferred way for residents and tourists to travel around Switzerland. Not only because of its unparalleled comfort and convenience but also because the Swiss Travel System is one of the most climate-friendly ways to tour the country. And with growing customer demand for more environmentally friendly forms of mobility, train travel and public transport are witnessing a renaissance across Europe and beyond – a positive development backed up by a study suggesting that travellers are willing to pay a premium in exchange for more sustainable travel options (Booking: 2022).