Besides Tourism

​If you were in Interlaken before March, you may have been enticed into the annual Winter Fir Forest in the park centre. Made up of over 2,000 donated and unsold Christmas trees, it is a showcase for musical performances, folklore, and crafts from the area. Even the local energy supplier, Insustreille Betriebe Interelaken AG lights up the forest with green electricity.

What is special about this yearly display is that it goes beyond tourism to show a community that cares.
When people think about our region around Interlaken, the first images that often come to mind are breathtaking mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and unforgettable holidays. Visitors arrive from all over the world to experience nature, adventure, and relaxation. Tourism is an important part of who we are, but our region is about so much more than tourism. At its heart, it is about people. It is about caring, belonging, and building a strong, supportive community that welcomes everyone.

Guests to the Fir Forest can also write their wishes on handmade slips of paper from the workshop Zemi. Zemi, or Zentrum Mittengraben, is a place where people come first. www.zemi.ch

Zemi’s work focuses on individuals in different life situations, especially people with cognitive and multiple disabilities. Through housing, work opportunities, education, and daily support, Zemi aims to create a life that is meaningful, self-determined, and connected to society. Individual care, guidance, and support are central to their mission, along with the belief that every person deserves dignity, respect, and the chance to grow.
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Living spaces are provided in inclusive neighbourhoods, so that people are not separated from the community but are an active part of it. This approach strengthens independence, self-confidence, and social connections. Support is available 24 hours a day, all year round, because caring for people is not a seasonal activity.

​Image Source: Interlaken Tourism