Swiss air wants to avoid confusion between Switzerland and Sweden

7 years ago - Published in Finance, Fundamental Analysis

Sweden and Switzerland have been suffering from a long-standing problem; people keep confusing them. It may seem unlikely to the seasoned traveller but it’s been a long-running bone of contention for proud residents of both countries. Now one airline is aiming to end that confusion by offering people a trip to Swederland.

Swiss Air says the link between the two countries is so strong in people’s minds, some have begun referring them as Swederland.  Lufthansa’s Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) launched a competition aimed at ending the never-ending mix-up between the two countries, by offering to take 24 winners on a tour through the non-existing “Swederland”.
To enter, you must find a Swedish friend willing to travel with you and help teach you the differences between both countries.

“We decided to put an end to the confusion by sending those in need of clarification to Switzerland, accompanied by a Swedish tour guide, to once and for all explain the differences between the countries,” Gabriel Leupold, Senior Director Sales Nordic & Baltic Countries, Lufthansa Group, said of the marketing campaign.

Winners will receive free return flights to Zurich and a Swiss Travel Pass. Out of the 12 pairs, one will win the golden ticket, providing them with accommodation, meals and an incredible week-long trip through Switzerland on incredible panoramic trains to explore the diversity of the country. Entries must include a reason why you feel you need this trip. Have you ever been embarrassed at a pub quiz or in front of a Swiss or Swedish person? Now is your chance to tell the tale and right those wrongs.

There are, of course, some similarities between the countries; both are famous for winter sports, beautiful mountainous landscapes, political neutrality and have a fondness for chocolate. Residents of both countries have reported mishaps while travelling across the world and some of the confusion seems to be stem from language. In both Mandarin and Spanish, the name of the countries is very similar.

But the airline is not the first to launch such an initiative. In 2013, Swedish authorities launched a competition in China, where people were invited on social media to come up with funny ways to keep Sweden and Switzerland apart.

The Swiss Air Swederland competition is open worldwide (except to residents of Switzerland) and entries are open until 28 November.