SWITZERLAND KHALEEJ TIMES
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A DV E RT I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T
YOUR SWISS DREAM IS CLOSE 8
The premier European destination has opened its borders to UAE residents and citizens while implementing stringent safety protocols
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Nisthula Nagarajan s the desire to travel has always been very strong in the UAE, Switzerland opening up has offered up a perfect semi-winter locale to vacation in. Since June 26, travellers from the UAE could officially have a snow-filled summer in the magnificent mountains of the Swiss Alps. The country has relatively returned to normalcy and has been diligent about vaccinating the population, with around 51.5 per cent of its population so before taking the family and luggage in tow for a Swiss dream holiday, there are a few rules and regulations to be aware of. The Swiss government has outlined that fully vaccinated travellers from the GCC, including the UAE, can enter Switzerland with-
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELLING TO SWITZERLAND
out quarantine or pre-travel testing . Travellers will need to provide their vaccination certificates upon arrival physically. They must have received vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or included in the WHO’s Emergency Use Listing, i.e. the Pfizer BioNTech, Sinopharm and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines. These will be accepted up to 12 months after full vaccination. Those interested can request the Schengen visas from VFS Global outlets while UAE citizens do not need a visa to travel to Switzerland. All visitors will have to present a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before the flight to re-enter the UAE. Unvaccinated travellers Those who are unvaccinated must provide proof of a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours or a rapid antigen test, no older than 48 hours, on entering the country. Unvaccinated children up to 16 can travel with their vaccinated parents while children between 16 and 18 need to present a negative test. Comprehensive protection To ensure every visitor has a great holiday and returns home happy and healthy, the Swiss government has introduced several protection protocols.
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Everyone is multilingual. Switzerland has four official languages — German, French, Italian, and Romansh.
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City centre view of Lucerne with famous Chapel Bridge and Lake Lucerne. In the last year, the authorities have adopted and enforced stringent measures to quell the spread of the virus especially in tourist hotspots, which have proven efficient even while hotels, restaurants and resorts remain operational. More than 4,000 tourism businesses are using the Swiss ‘Clean & Safe’ label to document and inform guests of the application of the comprehensive protection concepts. These concepts are based on rules for hygiene and behaviour, as well as public health and employee protection guidelines issued by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). All event organisers and businesses have been instructed to plan and implement them. Across major hospitality groups, restaurants, public transport, railways, spas and swimming pools and events there are shared measures: ■■ Hand hygiene, with regular hand washing/sanitising and avoiding commonly touched surfaces and objects. ■■ Social distancing of 1.5 m between guests and staff and designated waiting areas. The mountain railways operate in strict compliance with the safety protocols. Masks are compulsory in closed cabins and trains. ■■ Cleaning of surfaces and objects touched by people. ■■ Masks are compulsory indoors and the contact details of one person per group are collected. ■■ Cashless and contactless payment is preferred as much as possible. For events, tickets are bought online. What is open? Most tourist spots and public places are open but there are also certain differing measures depending on the spot: At restaurants, no mask is required to be worn at the table, but
No small talk welcome. You would think that a population so multilingual would want to show it off — but not the Swiss. Making friendly small talk with waitresses and cashiers is strongly discouraged. It’s not part of the culture to show friendliness or warmth to strangers.
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Visit the lakes. Lake life is integral. In the warmer months, the lakeside crowds you’ll see sunbathing will be some of the liveliest crowds in the entire country.
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Start early, end early. Café’s open at 6 am, some tourist spots open at 8 am and good luck finding a store open past 7 pm. By the time you’re done with your day, so is everyone else.
5 The best views of the Matterhorn are from the summit of the Gornergrat. The highest-altitude open-air cog railway in Europe operates all year round. anyone moving around the restaurant must wear a mask. Masks are compulsory for staff. In outdoor areas, there are no space restrictions and no obligation to wear a mask or to sit, but the distances must be observed. Discotheques and dance clubs are generally open if access is restricted to Covid-certified persons. As with all establishments whose access is restricted to persons with a Covid-19 certificate, the mask requirement does not apply. A Covid-19 certificate is proof of a negative Covid-19 test, an official vaccination certificate, or a certificate proving recovery from the virus. Public transport services operate according to the normal timetable in strict compliance with safety protocols. The wearing of a face mask is compulsory in the entire public transport. Certain wellness spas in hotels encourage guests to shower and change in their rooms after perusing the spa. There is a limit to the number of people in the closed rooms such as the sauna, bathrooms and cloakrooms. In adventure experiences like
SwissCovid App A great initiative by Switzerland is the SwissCovid tracing mobile application. This app can help identify those who have been in close contact with anyone who has been infected with Covid-19, informing those who are at risk of potential infection with a rapid notification, breaking the spread. Available for free in the Apple Store and Google Playstore, users can utilise the proximity tracing function simply by switching on their Bluetooth function. The IDs of the other phones that have this or other compatible apps and their Bluetooth switched on will be stored in your app for 14 days and then deleted automatically. Visitors are encouraged to download the app as the more people who install it, the more traceability, and the easier it is to combat the spread of infection.
zip-lining, boat rides etc. the equipment and its commonly touched surfaces are sanitized completely after every use. Museums, zoos and botanical gardens are all open with restrictions on the number of visitors, social distancing protocols in place and face masks being mandatory in closed spaces and indoors. Visit the Albula Railway Museum, the Gantrisch Nature Park, the Arboretum Zurich and the Zurich Zoo. Switzerland’s premium panoramic trains are in operation according to posted schedules. Face masks are compulsory during the complete ride. Jump aboard the Bernina, Glacier, GoldenPass and Luzern-Interlaken Express or the GoldenPass Panoramic.
Travel public. Public transport is very reliable in Switzerland. There’s a handy app with schedules for every type of transport, and trains and metros are nearly always on time. There are also SwissPasses for shortterm stays, but you only save money on those if you travel throughout the country.
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Good Swiss chocolate is local. Do not head to the grocery store to eat the famed Swiss chocolate. Go to local chocolatiers!
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Keep track of your cash. Switzerland is one of the most expensive places in the world. Plan and make sure you are aware of how much you spend or you’ll be shocked at your holiday credit card bill.
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Most beautiful natural sights on Earth. The Alps and the cerulean lakes are enough to bring tears to any UAE resident’s eyes. Source: University of Kentucky
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SWITZERLAND KHALEEJ TIMES
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A DV E RT I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T
Trusted partner in trade finance
The Alp Wonder Make the truly remarkle destination your next vacation spot
One of the UAE’s first banks, Habib Bank AG Zurich (HBZ), forges long-lasting relationships and grows with its clients Nisthula Nagarajan
People standing on the observation deck in Interlaken.
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JUNGFRAUJOCH: An alpine paradise, The Jungfraujoch is a glacial saddle between two mountains, is one of Switzerland’s greatest and tallest attractions. The world-famous Jungfrau railway, however, is perhaps the most impressive attraction. This train climbs from Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest railway station at 3,458 meters. There’s enough to do for the whole family, from mountain climbing to tobogganing and lots more.
INTERLAKEN: One of Switzerland’s most popular summer vacation destinations, Interlaken is nestled between two Alpine lakes Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Over 45 cable cars, chairlifts, and ski lifts take tourists into the surrounding landscapes and provide many opportunities for sightseeing from a higher vantage point. Take a paddleboat ride around the lakes to see the landscape from lower elevations. The city is also a popular base camp for outdoor activities in the nearby Bernese Oberland Alps, with excellent views of three iconic Swiss summits, the Eiger, the Jungfrau, and the Monch.
ZURICH: A global financial hub, and a gourmet haven Zurich attracts visitors from all walks of life. Discovering the fashionable pubs and restaurants, wandering through Lindenhof Park, and seeing the city’s different districts should all be a part of your stay in Zurich. The city is always bustling from the renowned Pride march to Europe’s largest street party. Not to forget, the breathtaking view of Lake Zurich.
Kushmita Bose witzerland is difficult to match for it’s breathtaking alpine landscapes and small quaint villages. The Alps’ soaring snow-capped peaks, sparkling blue lakes, and beautiful lakeside hamlets give this landlocked country a fantasy grandeur. Witness some of the greatest sites with our list of the top attractions in Switzerland.
THE MATTERHORN: One of the tallest mountains in the Alps is the Matterhorn, Switzerland’s famous pointed peak. This renowned peak rises to 4,478 meters and at the foot of this enormous peak lies Zermatt, a resort with horse-drawn carriages and top-notch hotels and restaurants. The highest cable car station in the Alps is also located on the summit, which provides spectacular views of the mountaintop and beyond.
LUCERNE: It doesn’t get much more spectacular than Lucerne, a country filled with picture-perfect lakeside towns. This small medieval city stands on the banks of Lake Lucerne, surrounded by three huge mountains. While admiring the city’s architectural wonders, you may visit old cathedrals, busy squares, and a plethora of stores. The Chapel Bridge that is connected to the heart of Lucerne since 1333 is one of the main highlights of the city. Known for the best music concerts, this traditional Swiss town attracts world-famous singers and orchestras to its annual International Music Festival.
Habib Bank AG Zurich (HBZ) is a family-owned and run bank that had its roots in Bombay, catering to traders from the heartlands of then British India. After the partition in 1947, the family’s banking operations moved to Karachi, Pakistan and was instrumental in setting up its new Central Bank, while becoming the largest privately owned bank named Habib Bank Ltd. When banks were nationalised in Pakistan, the family moved to Zurich and Dubai and started operations under HBZ umbrella. Over the decades, the Bank has received tremendous support from all stakeholders and the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) in particular. Today, it has banking presence in Switzerland, Pakistan, UK, Canada, Hong Kong, South Africa, Kenya and representative offices in Bangladesh and China. UAE became the birthplace of commercial business for Habib Bank AG Zurich. The oil boom of the ‘70s and the emergence of Dubai as a trade and transit hub have served as catalysts in HBZ’s growth as a trade finance powerhouse. The bank has always stayed focused on its core customer segment — family businesses reflecting its own tradition and has expanded in the UAE with eight branches today. Jamal Alvi, CEO, Habib Bank AG Zurich, stresses that the bank’s forte is its customer relationships. Entrepreneurs from
Jamal Alvi, CEO, Habib Bank AG Zurich the ’70s and ‘80s who have expanded tremendously since, maintain their association with the bank even today. Earlier this year, in a global Forbes survey of 43,000 clients across 28 countries Habib Bank AG Zurich was ranked fourth on how they rated banks on ‘customer centricity’. Last year, its Islamic Banking business — ‘Sirat’ won the award for the ‘Best Emerging Brand’ at the Malaysia Global Islamic Finance Awards. Habib Bank AG Zurich’s best offering is its trade finance capabilities. SMEs/commercial clients receive complete banking services for their end-to-end trade needs. To further build on this trade expertise, HBZ is ensuring healthy coverage for the region’s top bilateral trading corridors. In parallel, the bank’s enhanced web/mobile platform have witnessed huge increase in remittance transac-
tions being done remotely. These together are providing business customers an added advantage and convenience. “We are currently strengthening our personal wealth management division for our business owners. We endeavour to be the banker of choice for the UAE business community segment by being a one-stop bank for our commercial customers,” explains Alvi of the bank’s vision. On Swiss National Day, Habib Bank AG Zurich is launching commercial real estate (CRE) lending and a special campaign on mortgages for new customers. Alvi further adds “We are very proud of our Swiss heritage. We will continue to play a constructive role and strive to strengthen Switzerland-UAE ties through cross-border trade. We wish the great nation of Switzerland a happy National Day.”
Offering
Global Banking in
the UAE since 1974
With banking tradition that spans several generations, Habib Bank AG Zurich (HBZ) is the only Swiss incorporated commercial bank in the UAE. HBZ offers a personalized customer experience & complete range of Conventional and Islamic banking products to support SMEs and Commercial businesses. HBZ’s global banking footprint includes: UAE
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Pakistan
Kenya
Canada
Hong Kong
South Africa
Bangladesh
China
Habib Bank AG Zurich - UAE recognised by Forbes as one of The World's Best Banks 2021
( 800 HABIB (42242) | www.habibbank.com