Vacationers out, VIP guests will arrive. Swiss hotel canceled reservations due to peace conference on Ukraine

“Alpine hotel kicks out tourists because VIP guests will arrive,” wrote the German daily Merkur. The measure was replaced by the state.

“The (Swiss) federal government is taking over the resort for two days and two nights. We contacted guests with already confirmed reservations and asked them to choose a different date for their stay,” a spokesperson for the complex in the canton of Nidwalden confirmed to the 20minuten server. The aforementioned conference is scheduled to take place on the campus on June 15 and 16.

The list of participants is not ready yet, but US President Joe Biden has already signaled his intention to come to Switzerland, Merkur wrote.

Resort director Chris Franzen said affected guests responded to the call “with understanding.” “We found another date without any problems. We also find tailor-made solutions for vacationers from abroad,” he added.

However, those who are trying to find another hotel in the area for mid-June do not have much of a chance. Accommodation capacities in the idyllic region of central Switzerland are bursting at the seams throughout June and are usually booked half a year in advance.

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Some media questioned why the conference is not being held in Geneva, which has been the site of important political meetings many times in the past and has the appropriate infrastructure.

“There are several reasons for this. The resort of Bürgenstock is very well located in the central part of Switzerland and it is easier to ensure security there. Our country does not have many other alternatives where it is possible to accommodate such a large number of people and take care of their safety,” explained Swiss diplomat Gabriel Lüchinger.

In addition, the airport is located nearby and the surrounding area of the resort can be closed easily. Only two roads lead to Bürgenstock, and when they are closed, the resort is hermetically sealed off from the outside world.

While the affected vacationers do not hide their disappointment, the management of the region is full of enthusiasm. “It is a great honor for our canton. We are proud to host this conference,” said Karin Kayser, head of the cantonal office for justice and security. She confirmed that the conference will be provided by police officers from all over Switzerland, but did not specify their number.

The aim of the conference is to start the peace process in Ukraine. Russia, which has been waging a war of aggression against the neighboring country for two years, has announced that it will not take part in the talks in Switzerland, because the host country is said to be not neutral on the issue of the conflict in Ukraine.