Jemimah Rodrigues named Switzerland Tourism’s Friendship Ambassador

Indian women’s cricket team batter Jemimah Rodrigues has been named Switzerland Tourism’s Friendship Ambassador for India, as the country’s tourism body looks to connect with a new generation of Indian travellers.

The appointment was announced in Bengaluru on October 15 in the presence of Switzerland Tourism CEO Martin Nydegger. Through the association, Rodrigues will showcase Switzerland’s attractions across all four seasons, including familiar tourist destinations, lesser-known locations, cultural experiences and outdoor activities.

The campaign aims to encourage Indian visitors to explore more of the country throughout the year, beyond traditional travel periods and established tourist hotspots.

“Representing India has always been something very special to me, and wherever I travel, I carry a little bit of home with me,” Rodrigues said during a function organised by Switzerland Tourism.

“I'm looking forward to meeting people, trying new things, exploring different places, and sharing those moments with everyone back home,” she added.

Promoting Switzerland beyond its familiar attractions

The campaign will feature Rodrigues exploring destinations and experiences across the country, with an emphasis on seasonal travel and regional diversity.

Switzerland Tourism’s India campaign includes visits to Interlaken and Zurich, with experiences ranging from outdoor adventures and Swiss chocolate-making to urban exploration. The campaign also features the country’s public transport network as a way to travel between cities, mountains and other regions.

Christian Schoch, Director India at Switzerland Tourism, said, “India is one of our top 10 source markets, and we are seeing Indian travellers increasingly look for new ways to experience Switzerland. With Jemimah, we have an opportunity to showcase the diversity of the destination across the year, from different seasons and regions to experiences that go beyond the traditional highlights. This also ties closely into our Travel Better philosophy: encouraging travellers to stay longer, explore further and discover both the iconic and the lesser-known sides of Switzerland. Jemimah’s natural curiosity and sense of adventure make her a great fit to tell that story to India.”

The tourism body is seeking to promote travel beyond the familiar destinations associated with Switzerland among Indian visitors, while encouraging exploration during different seasons.

A new off-field role during injury rehabilitation

The appointment comes as Rodrigues continues her recovery from a high-grade right hamstring strain sustained while playing for Southern Brave in The Hundred. The injury forced her to withdraw from the competition and miss the Women’s Asia Cup and the Asian Games.

The new association gives the cricketer an off-field role while she works towards returning to action.

For Switzerland Tourism, the campaign brings a prominent Indian cricketer into its efforts to reach younger travellers and highlight experiences across the country. Rodrigues will share her travels with Indian audiences as the association unfolds across the four seasons.

The partnership adds to the range of commercial and promotional opportunities available to Indian athletes beyond competition, with Rodrigues set to represent the destination through travel experiences and campaign content.