Title: Swiss Alps | European Mountain Range | Alps Travel
Headings: Swiss Alps
Swiss Alps
The European Alps
The Swiss Alps
Highest Peaks in the Alps
Glaciers in the Swiss Alps
Tourism in the Swiss Alps
The Swiss Alps and European Travel and Trade

Content: Tourism in the Swiss Alps
Tourism in the Swiss Alps emerged during the Golden Age of Alpine Mountaineering as early alpinists, mostly from Britain and accompanied by local guides made the first ascents of the highest peaks of the Alps (Jungfrau in 1811, Wetterhorn in 1852, Monte Rosa in 1855, Dom in 1858, Matterhorn in 1865, and Weisshorn in 1861). Thomas Cook organized the world’s first international group tour by bringing a group of travelers to Switzerland in 1863. British tourists who first came to St Moritz in 1865 are considered the start of winter tourism in the Alps. The construction of tourist facilities commenced in the mid-nineteenth century with the building of hotels and mountain huts (creation of the Swiss Alpine Club in 1863) and the opening of mountain train lines on (Rigi in 1873, Mt. Pilatus in 1889, Gornergrat in 1898). The Jungfraubahn opened in 1912; it tunnels through the Eiger and leads to the highest railway station in Europe, the Jungfraujoch. The Swiss Alps and European Travel and Trade
The crossing of the Alps has been an historic challenge for European merchants, armies, and travelers. The high passes, while an obstacle to travel, have also provided security and protection to Switzerland. Over the past 150 years, Switzerland has continued to improve its transalpine transportation routes. Today, rail travel in the Alps is an important link for trans-Alpine trade, and also for tourism and scenic rail tours .