Local Swiss Guide by Yellow Pages Switzerland

Switzerland's Mastery of Risk Reading Time:     4 Min. Publication:         June 30, 2026, Jonathan Schönholzer When the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity was updated in 2018, it included a rather unexpected entry for Switzerland: avalanche risk management . Not a folk festival, not a craft, not a culinary tradition, but a systematic approach to living with a natural hazard. This recognition reflects something fundamental about Swiss alpine culture, the idea that surviving and thriving in the mountains requires not just technology, but accumulated knowledge passed down through generations. A Living Tradition Born of Necessity For mountainous countries like Switzerland, managing avalanche risk has long been a matter of existential importance, substantially shaping national identity. The alpine population developed strategies over centuries to anticipate avalanches, protect themselves from them, and rescue vi...

The Strange, Fizzy Swiss Soda Made From Cheese Whey Reading Time:     4 Min. Publication:         June 30, 2026, Jonathan Schönholzer A Drink That Should Not Work Switzerland produces many beloved foods, but one of its most iconic soft drinks is neither chocolate nor coffee. It is a fizzy, slightly sweet, vaguely medicinal beverage called  Rivella . The unusual ingredient list stops most foreigners cold. Rivella is made from milk whey, the thin liquid that separates from milk during cheese production. Whey typically becomes animal feed or gets discarded. Somehow, the Swiss turned it into a refreshing soda. The taste is surprisingly difficult to describe. It is not creamy or milky at all. It has a clean, effervescent quality with hints of apple and herbal tea, followed by a faint salty finish. People either love it or find it deeply confusing. There is very little middle ground. Yet since its invention in 1952, Rivella has become one of Switze...

A Legal Grey Zone in Kloten Reading Time:     4 Min. Publication:         June 26, 2026, Jonathan Schönholzer There is a place at Zurich Airport where the usual rules of Swiss life do not quite apply. The Circle, a modern complex of shops, restaurants, and office spaces directly adjacent to the airport terminals, has become something of a legal curiosity. It is officially part of the airport, but critics argue it does not really belong there. The result is a quiet battle over Sunday opening hours, duty-free privileges, and the very definition of what an airport should be. A Matter of Postal Codes The Circle carries the postal code 8058 Zurich-Airport, which places it firmly within the airport's administrative territory . This address has proven remarkably useful. Under Swiss labor law, shops located at train stations or inside airports are permitted to open on Sundays . The Circle's tenants, which include Jelmoli, Läderach , and Omega , have take...

How Swiss Companies Gain International Visibility Online Reading Time:        3 Min. Publication:              April 24, 2026, Andy Rauch Strong Locally, Invisible Internationally Swiss companies are strong where it matters most: in quality, reliability and precision. Locally, many are well positioned and easy to find. Internationally, however, the picture often changes. Even established businesses remain largely invisible beyond national borders. This gap is not caused by a lack of competence. It is caused by limited visibility. The Language Barrier Nobody Talks About One of the main reasons is language. A large part of corporate communication in Switzerland takes place in German or French. That works perfectly within the domestic market, but it significantly reduces reach in an international context. Search engines, digital platforms and increasingly also AI systems rely heavily on English content when it comes to global dis...

A Country of Linguistic Diversity Reading Time:      5 Min. Publication:           April 09, 2026, Jessy Thür Switzerland is a country of diversity culturally, regionally, and above all linguistically. With four official languages and a high proportion of international professionals, multilingualism is not the exception but the rule in everyday work life. For companies, this presents both a challenge and a significant opportunity: those who make strategic use of linguistic diversity can not only strengthen internal collaboration but also better reach their customers. Communication as the Key to Success In day-to-day work, it quickly becomes clear just how crucial language is to efficiency and team dynamics. In many Swiss companies , German, French, Italian, and English are all used often even within a single team. In addition, there are employees with other native languages who bring fresh perspectives to the table. To ensure that communicat...

Are Small Businesses Ready? Reading Time:      5 Min. Publication:           March 31, 2026, Jessy Thür Switzerland has traditionally been considered a cash-based society, but this reality is changing rapidly. While coins and banknotes dominated just a few years ago, there is now a clear trend toward digital payment methods. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this raises a key question: Are they ready for an increasingly cashless future? A look at current figures illustrates the shift. As recently as 2017, over 70% of all transactions were conducted in cash. By 2025, however, cash accounted for around 30% of in-person transactions, while cards and digital payment solutions had clearly overtaken cash. At the same time, the use of mobile payments is steadily increasing, for example through apps like Apple Pay or Twint , which enable fast and contactless payments. Between Progress and Tradition Despite this trend, Switzerland is far ...

Neighbors by Geography, Partners by Choice Reading Time:        4 Min. Publication:             March 03, 2026, Jonathan Schönholzer Tucked between Austria and Switzerland along the Rhine River, the Principality of Liechtenstein is one of Europe’s smallest countries. Yet despite its size, its relationship with Switzerland is remarkably deep and enduring. Over the past century, the two neighbors have developed a partnership that blends sovereignty with cooperation in ways rarely seen elsewhere in the world. Their relationship is not one of political union, but of carefully balanced interdependence, practical, peaceful, and highly successful. Early Ties and Shared Alpine Roots Historically, Liechtenstein’s political and economic connections were oriented toward the Austrian Empire. However, the upheavals following World War I dramatically reshaped Central Europe. As the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed, Liechtenstein found itself ec...

A true Swiss success story from Laufen Reading Time:      5 Min. Publication:           February 19, 2026, Jessy Thür When it comes to typical Swiss culinary culture, almost everyone immediately thinks of chocolate or cheese - but one very special sweet treat also belongs on this list: Ricola , the legendary herbal candies from Switzerland. For almost a century, they have stood for natural ingredients, alpine tradition, and Swiss craftsmanship. This article highlights how Ricola came into being, why the famous 13-herb blend is so unique, and how the company combines sustainability with Swiss identity today. From Laufen to the world – the story of a Swiss success story Ricola was founded in 1930 in the small town of Laufen in the canton of Basel-Land. At that time, confectioner Emil Wilhelm Richterich opened a confectionery shop where he produced and sold sweets and herbal products. Fascinated by the power of Swiss alpine herbs, he soon bega...

Cheese - More Than Holes Reading Time:        4 Min. Publication:             February 11, 2026, Jonathan Schönholzer Few foods are as closely associated with a country as cheese is with Switzerland . From alpine huts high above the tree line to supermarket shelves around the world, Swiss cheese has become a symbol of craftsmanship, tradition, and quality. While many people think first of pale yellow wheels with neat round holes, Switzerland’s cheese culture is far richer and more diverse. Its iconic status is rooted in geography, history, and an uncompromising approach to production that continues to define Swiss identity. Geography, Cows, and Craft Switzerland’s mountainous landscape plays a decisive role in its cheese-making heritage. Much of the country is unsuitable for large-scale crop farming , but its alpine meadows are ideal for grazing. For centuries, farmers moved their cows to high pastures during the summer months, wher...

What distinguishes companies in Zurich, Geneva, and Ticino Reading Time:      4 Min. Publication:           February 04, 2026, Jessy Thür Switzerland is small but extremely diverse in economic and cultural terms. This becomes particularly clear when comparing the three regions of Zurich, Geneva, and Ticino. Although they are located in the same country and share the same legal framework, companies in these regions differ considerably in terms of their language, culture, management style, and international orientation. Anyone doing business in Switzerland or looking to expand should be aware of these differences and take them into account. Zurich: Efficiency, innovation, and performance Zurich is considered the economic center of Switzerland. The city is home to numerous banks, insurance companies, technology companies, and start-ups. Accordingly, the business culture is strongly performance- and efficiency-oriented. Processes are clearly def...

How Swiss producers and restaurateurs are benefiting from regional superfoods Reading Time:      5 Min. Publication:           December 04, 2025, Jessy Thür In times of globalized supply chains and growing climate awareness, one trend is becoming particularly important: superfoods – but regional ones. Instead of importing exotic “superfoods” such as chia, quinoa, or açai, more and more consumers are discovering local alternatives – with considerable potential for Swiss producers and the catering industry. Local superfoods: more than just marketing The term “ superfood ” originates more from marketing than science—it usually refers to foods with a particularly high concentration of vitamins, minerals, or secondary plant substances. But many of these supposedly exotic nutrient-packed foods are also available locally: flax seeds, for example, provide omega-3, protein, and fiber—similar to chia seeds. According to Swiss Farmers, vegetables such a...

Swiss Wine Uncorked Reading Time:        4 Min. Publication:             September 25, 2025, Jonathan Schönholzer When most people think of wine, their minds immediately drift to France, Italy, or Spain. Yet nestled among alpine peaks and pristine lakes lies one of Europe’s most intriguing, and often overlooked, wine regions: Switzerland. Producing only about 1% of Europe’s wine, Swiss vineyards rarely export their bottles, meaning that the majority of their treasures stay within the country. For travelers and wine lovers, this exclusivity makes Swiss wine all the more enchanting. A Tradition Rooted in History Wine has been part of Swiss culture for more than two millennia. The Romans first introduced viticulture to the region, and over the centuries, Swiss winemakers adapted to the unique challenges of cultivating vines in steep, mountainous terrain. The result is a tradition of craftsmanship defined by small-scale production, me...