Exciting news from Switzerland Tourism as Sandra Babey is appointed the Market Manager for Australia and New Zealand, starting from October 1, 2023.
Sandra brings a wealth of experience to her new role, having served as the Market Manager for Spain and Portugal for over a decade.
Sandra’s journey began with a degree in hotel management from Swiss Hotel Management School Lucerne. She then worked as Marketing & Sales Manager at Hotel Wilden Mann. Later, she became Marketing Manager for Switzerland Tourism Spain in Barcelona.
In 2013, she assumed the management of the Switzerland Tourism branch in Barcelona.
“Sandra Babey is both a Swiss tourism professional and a cosmopolitan marketing expert,” Simon Bosshart, Head of Markets East.
“I am convinced that with her creativity and in-depth knowledge of Switzerland, she will get our partners and guests down under enthusiastic about Switzerland.”
The Australian and New Zealand market holds great significance for Switzerland’s tourism industry. Prior to the pandemic, our region contributed 398,000 hotel overnight stays in Switzerland.
According to the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, in the period from January to April 2023, Switzerland’s stays from Australia and New Zealand increased by over 7% compared to the record year of 2019, signalling a positive growth trend.
Sandra takes the reins from Livio Goetz. Earlier this year, Switzerland Tourism announced that Geotz would be taking up a new role based in Dubai. Effective from 1 July 2023, Goetz will be looking after the Gulf Coast Countries for Switzerland Tourism.
Sandra will be based in Sydney, commencing her new role on 1 October 2023. Switzerland Tourism has entrusted the Walshe Group to ensure a seamless continuity of all activities during the transition phase between Goetz’s move to Dubai and Sandra’s assumption of office. Its collaboration with Switzerland Tourism will continue until 31 December, 2023.
