The ex-tennis star and model Swiss is once again promoting his home country. (Image: Getty Images)
Tour of Switzerland
A comedian, an ex-tennis ace and a rich lady show how beautiful Switzerland is from the train. It’s a pleasure to watch the new Switzerland Tourism commercial. However, tourists should not rely too much on all the messages in it.
The Swiss Federal Railways have a good reputation abroad, especially when it comes to punctuality. This, of course, is also the subject of Switzerland Tourism’s latest commercial. Above all, the organization wants to show how nice it is to travel through Switzerland by train. To do this, she sends Roger Federer and Trevor Noah, American comedian and presenter, on a turbulent journey by Swiss standards.
Without a ticket on the train
The two are supposed to shoot a TV sport, but get on the wrong train. And, like everyone who has experienced this before, we must hope for the mercy of the SBB. All the more so because they nonchalantly take a seat on the prestige Continental Express instead of looking for a train attendant – without a cell phone or wallet.
The conductor is portrayed very authentically in the commercial, as are the stern-eyed fellow passengers. “You can’t pay me in jokes,” is how Noah is dismissed when he refers to his celebrity status as a world-famous comedian. This is the dramatic climax of the story.
View and Silserli
Fortunately, an elegant “old lady” recognizes him in the same compartment and not only covers the ticket costs for the two celebrities, she also invites them to a Silserli cheese snack or snack. This, and the passing landscape, inspires Roger and Noah so much that, finally tracked down by their team in Interlaken, they run straight back to the next train to Lucerne. They hope that an “old lady” will be found there again to put up with them.
That is charmingly told. Although it’s hard to imagine that model boy Federer would simply run away instead of shooting a commercial. There is also nothing to complain about in terms of costumes, Trevor and Federer wear elegant casual looks, pullovers with suit trousers or pullovers with a white shirt underneath and jeans. The prestigious Continental Express and of course the Swiss landscape are also perfectly staged.
Attention tourists!
Nevertheless, warnings must be issued here to everyone who is now planning to travel Switzerland by train. For one thing, not all trains are that nice – and if they are, then only first class. Anyone who catches a replacement train (as good as it is that they exist) is most likely sitting in a rattletrap with an outhouse.
And if you are traveling with a 2nd class ticket during commuting times, you may be sitting on the floor in the intermediate compartment. Also, there is actually not a generous lady on every train for those without a passport, wallet and ticket, especially if you are not a celebrity.
