Protect housing, sustain tourism, and shape rules that genuinely work on the ground: that's what we bring to the debate – facts, hands-on experience, and a willingness to talk.
Our Stance
The housing question in the Bödeli is real. Anyone who lives, works, or starts a family here should be able to find affordable housing. At the same time, holiday apartments are part of the local tourism structure: they bring guests to restaurants, shops, mountain railways, and leisure offerings, and they secure income for many private owners.
That's why, in our view, this is not an either-or. What matters is whether a rule actually protects housing, is legally sound, can be enforced, and respects regional differences. That's exactly where we want to contribute constructively.
Factsheet
The votes and examples of recent months show one thing above all: the question is not whether municipalities may act. The question is which instrument delivers the most impact on the ground.
The five Bödeli municipalities – Interlaken, Unterseen, Matten, Wilderswil, and Bönigen – are discussing five different approaches. That argues against a blanket "ban wave" and in favour of models that take municipal size, housing structure, tourism intensity, and enforceability seriously.
The Wilderswil model combines a 70% primary-residence quota with a 5-night minimum stay. It was adopted with 83.5% approval; the SP subsequently withdrew its own initiative. That's a strong signal for a broadly accepted, proportionate solution.
International examples urge caution. New York's far-reaching Airbnb ban neither lowered rents nor increased vacancy. Protecting housing takes more than a simple cap on paper.
Even a clear rule achieves little if it can't be implemented. In the city of Bern, the rule adopted with 81% approval is still not in force; in Geneva, an analysis found nearly half of hosts violate the existing 90-day rule.
SECO and SEM are preparing a nationwide, unified registration scheme (as of January 2025). We support this development, because better data and uniform procedures help municipalities more than a patchwork of barely comparable individual rules.
All figures and sources in detail: Sources and Our Proposal.
An Open Conversation
Municipalities are under pressure to deliver quick, visible answers. We bring the perspective of rental practice: which rules are enforceable? Where do unintended side effects arise? And how can housing be protected without needlessly weakening tourism structures that work?
We're glad to take part in workshops, hearings, or background conversations and help develop a model that fits each municipality.