DAVOS – Switzerland has launched a special program in Davos and the Saas Valley to help Orthodox Jewish tourists during the busy summer season, according to a report by Ynet News.
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Each year, large numbers of Orthodox families from Israel, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and the United States vacation in these Alpine resorts. To make their stays easier and prevent misunderstandings with locals, Swiss officials and Jewish community leaders have arranged for representatives to assist visitors.
The initiative, part of the Swiss Jewish community’s “Likrat Public” project, operates for several weeks between Tisha B’Av and the month of Elul. Staff members are available to answer questions about local customs, guide families through train systems and recreational sites, and help ensure religious needs are respected.
In Davos, for example, guides have provided safety instructions in Hebrew at adventure parks, while also checking that tzitzit do not interfere with climbing equipment. At the local train station, a representative recently helped an Orthodox family with schedules, since many travelers do not use smartphones.
The project is supported by the Swiss Ambassador to Israel and the Israeli Embassy in Bern. Organizers say it has strengthened understanding between visitors and residents, with local businesses also making efforts to adapt.
Yehuda Spielman, a Zurich city council member, told Ynet that the program not only serves tourists but also operates year-round across Switzerland, promoting education about Jewish life and working against antisemitism.
