Swiss village is turning itself into a giant hotel to attract tourists

THE Swiss village may be picturesque but it’s so worried about extinction that it has a bold idea to attract more tourists.

SWITZERLAND’S smallest mountain village is being turned into a giant hotel to save it from extinction.

Locals from the mountain town of Corippo, located in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino in Switzerland, realised the place would soon be empty — given that it only has 13 inhabitants left.

The village, at an altitude of 600m above sea level, once had a thriving community in its small piazzas and little church when the population was still 300 people.

Mayor Claudio Scettrini, who at the age of 54 is the only one in town who is not retired, has stepped down from his office together with the two women in the village administration aged 67 and 82.

All three said they quit because of a lack of motivation.

With a family of three also about to leave the town in the Verzasca Valley, the village will soon have a population of just 10 people.

To save the town from total extinction, a foundation called “Corippo 75” has launched a tourist redevelopment project.

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The town, with its beautiful stone houses, narrow alleys and grand mountain vistas will be turned into one big hotel complex called “Albergo Corippo.”

The restaurant in the main square will be turned into the hotel reception and the stone cottages will be turned into hotel rooms.

The project’s foundation began years ago and was started by the municipality of Corippo, the Canton of Ticino and national authorities.

It has since taken ownership of dozens of houses in the village.

Foundation president and architect Fabio Giacomazzi said: “Every rustics [traditional cottage] will receive the name of the long-established family which once owned it, and the character of the traditional way of life will remain intact.”

Mr Giacomazzi even wants to repair the old mill and plans to plant terraced rye fields.

“This way Corippo will bake its own bread, just as our forefathers did.”

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Other plans include a shuttle service to bring guests to the nearest bus stop, planned excursions into nature, museum visits and cooking classes.

Claire Amstutz, a 61-year-old who originally hails from the German-speaking part of Switzerland but has been living in the Verzasca Valley for 18 years, called the project “wonderful”.

She currently runs the small restaurant, which according to the foundation’s plan will be turned into the hotel reception area.

Ms Amstutz said: “The restaurant will be enlarged. Here not only breakfast will be served, but also half board offered.”

She is convinced that a traditional experience in Corippo would be a hit with German-speaking Swiss citizens like her.

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A night’s stay in the town would still be affordable despite the generally steep prices in Switzerland. According to local media, the foundation plans a rate between $130 and $157 per night, including breakfast.

According to local media, the town expects to open to visitors in the spring of 2018.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.