SUISSE News Summer 2025 Tourism | Education | Sports | Arts and Culture | Business
July 2025
News From Switzerland
(Maggie Jameel)
Travel Highlights:
As previously shared, Edelweiss Air launch its new direct seasonal route connecting Halifax and Zurich starting July 3, 2025, with flights opening twice weekly until early October. This new route offers Swiss-Canadians in Canada a convenient option to reach Switzerland without transferring through Toronto, Montreal, or the U.S.
Flights will depart every Thursday and Sunday, providing flexible connections for family visits and summer holidays. The added capacity is also expected to bring thousands of Swiss visitors to Atlantic Canada, supporting local tourism, hotels, and restaurants throughout the busy summer season.
If you’re heading to Switzerland soon, expect a real summer heat wave, daytime highs are climbing to 32-34 °C this week, with official MeteoSwiss warnings to stay hydrated and limit time in the midday sun. It’s nothing new for anyone used to Canadian summers, but it’s still smart to plan for shade and water breaks. For local updates, check MeteoSwiss while you travel.
In response to new tariffs that would have raised costs on chocolate coming from the U.S., Swiss chocolate giant Lindt & Sprüngli has decided to shift all its Canadian chocolate supply to come directly from Europe instead.
Previously, about half of Lindt’s chocolate for Canada was made in the U.S. facilities, but starting this year, it will all come straight from Lindt’s European factories. This move helps Lindt keep its prices stable for Canadian customers and ensures chocolate fans won’t see surprise price hike at the stores. Lindt is also increasing inventory levels in Canda to Make the transition smooth and keep shelves stocked.
Switzerland reclaimed its crown as the world’s most competitive nation, topping the IMD World Competitiveness ranking and surpassing Singapore and Hong Kong. While the country ranks 6th in corporate competitiveness and 13th in macroeconomics competitiveness, it achieved first place in infostructure and political environment, a reflection of its stable governance, efficient institutions, and world class infostructure. Based on 170 indicators and feedback from over 6000 executives, the ranking underscore how these strengths make Switzerland especially resilient and attractive amid global uncertainty.
In 2023, Canada and Switzerland signed a new Joint Statement on Science, Technology, and Innovation that runs through 2028, aiming to boost research ties in areas like climate, health, quantum tech, and AI. Under this deal, researchers can get joint funding from NSERC and the Swiss National science Foundation, student can apply for ThinkSwiss scholarship for short research stays, and both countries support scientist exchange and shared projects.
What does this mean? This means more funding, fewer barriers, and more chances for Canadian and Swiss researchers to turn big ideas into real solutions, new tech, startups, and innovations that benefit both countries, not just academic papers.
Switzerland is hosting the UEFA Women’s Euro’s 2025 from July 2-27, marking the first time the country welcomes the women’s tournament. Matches will be held across eight Swiss cities, Basel, Bern, Geneva, Zurich, St. Gallen, Lucerne, Thun and Sion, with the final set for July 27 at St. Jakob-Park in Bael. Parliament has approved CHF 15 million in funding to support the event, highlighting its importance for women’s sport and local communities. Basel alone is expecting 500,000 visitors, with fan zones planned across the country to make the first Women’s Euro In Switzerland safe and festive success.
Eastern Canada, Swiss-Canadian community. This project celebrates Swiss centenarians and portraits their stories, reminding us how history lives through people. A tribute to resilience and the memories that bridge generations.
