Indian women's cricket star jemima rodrigues has assumed a new role away from the cricket field after being appointed as India's Friendship Ambassador for Switzerland Tourism. The initiative aims to connect with young Indian travelers and inspire them to explore places other than the popular tourist destinations of Switzerland.
The announcement was made in Bengaluru on Thursday in the presence of Martin Nidegger, CEO of Switzerland Tourism. Through this collaboration, Rodriguez will showcase European country scenes, cultural experiences, outdoor adventures and lesser-known destinations across all four seasons.
Why did Switzerland Tourism choose Jemimah Rodrigues?
Rodrigues has become a recognizable face of Indian women's cricket, known for her energetic personality and rapport with the fans. Switzerland Tourism is hoping to harness their popularity to reach a generation of young travelers who are increasingly interested in personalized and experience-based holidays.
The campaign will highlight Switzerland as a year-round destination, not just one to visit during the traditional summer travel season. This will inspire Indian tourists to explore different regions, spend more time and experience the local culture along with the country's famous mountain scenery.
India is already among the top 10 source markets for Switzerland tourism, making it an important audience for the organization's international tourism efforts.
What did Jemimah Rodriguez say about her new role?
Talking about this collaboration, Rodrigues expressed his eagerness to discover Switzerland from a new perspective and share his experiences with people back home.
“Representing India has always been very special to me, and wherever I travel, I take a little piece of home with me,” Rodriguez said.
he adds, “I am looking forward to meeting people, trying new things, exploring different places and sharing those moments with everyone at home.”
The first trailer for the campaign features Rodriguez through Zurich and Interlaken, showing two different sides of Switzerland.
In Interlaken, they experienced a jetboat ride, participated in Swiss chocolate making and visited the Ballenberg, an open-air museum that displays traditional Swiss architecture and rural heritage. They also visited the Jungfraujoch, where visitors can experience spectacular views of the snow and the Alps.
The journey then proceeded to Zurich, Switzerland's largest city. Rodriguez explored its urban environment by running, riding an e-bike and riding an electric boat on Lake Zurich. A relaxing picnic was also included in the campaign, which offers a glimpse of the city's blend of outdoor spaces and contemporary urban life.
Swiss public transport forms a significant part of travel, reflecting the ease with which travelers can travel between cities, lakes and mountain destinations.
'Travel Better' philosophy of Switzerland tourism
The partnership also supports Switzerland Tourism's Travel Better philosophy, which encourages visitors to stay longer, explore additional areas and discover experiences beyond the most familiar attractions.
Christian Schoch, India Director at Switzerland Tourism, said the collaboration will help showcase the diversity of the country across different seasons and regions.
The campaign will continue following its initial trailer, seeing Rodriguez exploring Switzerland during spring, summer, fall and winter. The vision aims to inspire Indian travelers to consider a wide range of experiences throughout the year.
Jemima's recovery from injury
The appointment comes as Rodriguez continues to recover from a high-grade tear in his right hamstring, Which he sustained while playing for Southern Brave in The Hundred 2026 on 3 August.
This injury forced her to miss the competition and also resulted in her missing the Women's Asia Cup and the Asian Games. She is rehabilitating and working towards a return to competitive cricket. The timeline of his return depends on his recovery and fitness assessment.