Geneva, a city of approximately 180,000 inhabitants in south-western Switzerland on the border with France, is mainly perceived throughout the world - through its international vocation and humanitarian dimension – as a venue for meetings and exchanges. Its 2,000 years of history have also given Geneva a rich cultural heritage. Famous as a financial location, as well as for its congresses and fairs, Geneva is also, in its turn, a capital city of religion, watch-making, business, industrial science and gastronomy.

Geneva’s famous spirit is often evoked, as if to justify this extraordinary diversity and degree of excellence achieved in so many fields. On reflection, however, it is difficult to dissociate the natural elements from the more ethereal aspects which help build and nurture the city’s reputation. In the list of gifts developed over the centuries, Geneva’s legendary hospitality and tradition for making people feel welcome have certainly been decisive. However, the capacity of thought and action displayed by certain pioneers in the hotel branch, together with other tourist sector visionaries, have contributed to Geneva’s open attitude towards the world.

From the Middle Ages onwards, Geneva, this city of markets and fairs, has built up infrastructures to welcome people that will never stop improving. Basking in the privilege of an exceptional natural environment that Jean-Jacques Rousseau described so aptly at the end of the 18th century, Geneva has never since renounced its tourist vocation.

Nowadays, tourism in Geneva means an average 10,000 visitors each day – either for business or for pleasure – 20,000 jobs and an annual added value of €1.15bn (1.8bn Swiss francs), according to a study by Geneva University. This small city, which organises more meetings than New York each year, which receives guests from around 100 different countries, is entitled to call itself a tourist capital.

Our city is contributing to the outstanding development of world tourism that the experts have been predicting, while also adding a touch of humanism. With a population that knows how to integrate hospitality into its way of living, we are proud to be able to honour our reputation as a tourist capital.

Official links
Geneva Tourism
Stade de Genève
Canton of Geneva
Geneva Sport Office
Geneva International Airport
Geneva Public Transport

[copyright: uefa.com]

Stadium: Geneva - Stade de Genève

On 16 March 2003, the new multifunctional stadium in Geneva was opened with a Swiss domestic league match between Servette FC and BSC Young Boys. The official opening of the stadium came some on 30 April 2003, when Switzerland lost 2-1 to Italy in a friendly international.

The Stade de Genève, a modern football arena, is located at the La Praille site with 30,000 covered seats, close to the French border. The construction of the stadium was been planned in close co-operation with UEFA. The stadium has direct access to the Geneva RER network, its own railway station and a link to the nearby motorway. The stadium complex also contains a shopping centre with underground car park, hotel, TV studios, office and conference facilities, as well as a cultural centre.

[copyright: uefa.com]